Manifold pressure operated selector valve

Abstract

Systems, methods, and processes related to a fire suppression system are described herein. The fire suppression system includes one or more tanks containing fire suppressant, a manifold, and one or more valves. Each of the tanks is coupled with an actuator that can open the tanks. The manifold is fluidly coupled with the one or more tanks. The actuator opening the one or more tanks causes a pressure differential between the manifold and the tanks that drives the fire suppressant to flow from the tanks through the manifold, the flow of the fire suppressant through the manifold generating a threshold pressure in the manifold. The one or more valves can selectively supply the fire suppressant to an area. The one or more valves are actuated to an open position by the threshold pressure in the manifold to allow the fire suppressant to flow through the one or more valves.

Description

Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)MANIFOLD PRESSURE OPERATED SELECTOR VALVEBACKGROUND

[0001] This PCT Application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 687,988, filed 8 / 28 / 2024, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] Fire suppression systems are commonly used to protect an area and objects within the area from fire. Fire suppression systems can be activated manually or automatically in response to an indication that a fire is present nearby (e.g., an increase in ambient temperature beyond a predetermined threshold value, etc.). Once activated, fire suppression systems spread a fire suppressant (e.g., an agent) throughout the area. The fire suppressant then extinguishes or otherwise controls the fire.SUMMARY|0003] At least one aspect relates to a fire suppression system. The fire suppression system includes one or more tanks containing fire suppressant, a manifold, and one or more valves. Each of the one or more tanks is coupled with an actuator that can open the one or more tanks. The manifold is fluidly coupled with the one or more tanks. The actuator opening the one or more tanks causes a pressure differential between the manifold and the one or more tanks that drives the fire suppressant to flow from the one or more tanks through the manifold, while the flow of the fire suppressant through the manifold generates a threshold pressure in the manifold. The one or more valves can selectively supply the fire suppressant to an area. The one or more valves are actuated to an open position by the threshold pressure in the manifold to allow the fire suppressant to flow through the one or more valves.

[0004] At least one aspect relates to a valve assembly. The valve assembly includes a manifold, one or more selector valves fluidly coupled with the manifold, a valve coupled with an actuator, and a tank holding a quantity of fire suppressant. The actuator can open the valve and14909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) release the fire suppressant to a regulator valve at a first pressure. The one or more selector valves can selectively supply fire suppressant to an area. The regulator valve supplies the manifold with the fire suppressant at a second pressure. The second pressure can actuate the one or more selector valves to an open position such that the fire suppressant flows through the one or more selector valves to the area.

[0005] At least one aspect relates to a method of suppressing a fire. The method includes receiving an activation signal from a controller and opening, responsive to receiving the activation signal, a valve coupled with a tank containing fire suppressant to pressurize a manifold to a threshold pressure and direct a volume of fire suppressant through the manifold to a selector valve to selectively supply the volume of fire suppressant to an area. The method further includes opening, by the threshold pressure in the manifold, the selector valve to supply the volume of fire suppressant to the area via the selector valve.

[0006] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:10008 ] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a fire suppression system.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of an actuation system of the fire suppression system of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a controller for the fire suppression system of FIG. 1.24909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an example of a method for operating the fire suppression system of FIG. 1.

[0012] This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate various implementations in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0014] Referring generally to the figures, a fire suppression system is shown, according to various implementations. The fire suppression system includes one or more tanks. In some examples the tanks are arranged as master tank and subordinate tank subassemblies. Each tank is coupled with a valve and an actuator configured to open the tanks and release the fire suppressant stored inside. Each tank, or each tank subassembly, is fluidly coupled with a manifold assembly that includes selector valves. The tanks may be opened by an actuator and / or a valve responsive to receiving a signal that a fire is present in or near an area. Opening the tanks causes a pressure differential between the manifold and the tanks, which drives the fire suppressant to flow through the manifold. The flow of fire suppressant generates a pressure threshold inside the manifold. Such pressure actuates the selector valves to an open position, thereby allowing the fire suppressant to flow through the selector valves to a distribution system or nozzle. Advantageously, the fire suppression system utilizes the pressure generated inside the manifold to distribute fire suppressant without additional external pressure sources (e.g., nitrogen pilot tanks, etc.). Therefore, utilizing the pressure generated inside the manifold reduces the34909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) overall complexity and / or cost of the fire suppression system by removing external pressure tanks and their associated connective line.

[0015] The fire suppression system includes a controller to transmit electronic signals to one or more components of the fire suppression system indicating that a fire is present in an area. The controller may transmit activation signals to the actuators or valves coupled with the tanks, as well as one or more solenoids to assist the threshold pressure in actuating the selector valves to an open position. In some examples, the fire suppression system includes regulator valves and check valves that control the flow of fire suppressant from the tanks into the manifold and prevent backflow from the manifold into the tanks.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a fire suppression system 100 is shown, according to one implementation. The fire suppression system 100 can supply fire suppressant to one or more potentially flammable objects or areas to be protected. The fire suppression system 100 includes a supply of fire suppressant (e.g., a suppressant supply assembly), shown as tank subassemblies 112, which provide the fire suppressant for distribution by the fire suppression system 100 to address fires or hazard conditions in the areas. The fire suppression system 100 supplies the fire suppressant onto and / or around the areas, controlling or suppressing fires associated with (e.g., on, affecting, nearby, etc.) the areas. The fire suppression system 100 includes a controller 30 configured to selectively operate one or more control valves (e.g., electrically-actuated valves, pneumatically-actuated valves, etc.), shown as solenoids 53 and 54. The solenoids 53 and 54 serve to open or assist in opening the selector valves 51 and 52 based on an activation signal. A manifold 47 couples the selector valves 51 and 52 to the tanks 110. The manifold 47 supplies the fire suppressant to a distribution network downstream from selector valves 51 and 52 at a pressure threshold, where the fire suppressant is then distributed to address fires and / or hazard conditions in the areas. The fire suppression system 100 can be used alone or in combination with other types of fire suppression systems (e.g., a building sprinkler system, a portable fire extinguisher, etc.). In some implementations, multiple fire suppression systems 100 are used in combination with one another to cover a larger area (e.g., each in different rooms of a building, etc.).44909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0017] In some implementations, the fire suppression system 100 is a clean agent system that can suppress fires associated with areas while limiting damage to nearby assets. The fire suppressant distributed by the fire suppression system 100 may include a clean agent fire suppressant such as Inergen IG-541. In other implementations, the fire suppressant includes a noble gas, IG-55, IG-01, IG-100, and / or any other inert gas or mixture of gases. Clean agents are useful in certain applications where delicate and / or valuable items or information (e.g., hard drives, power supplies, books, etc.) are stored. By way of example, the fire suppression system 100 may be used to protect telecommunication sites, data centers, archives, museums, oil and gas facilities, power plants, or other areas. The clean agent fire suppressant may leave no or substantially no residue on the assets after being distributed by the fire suppression system 100. In other implementations, the fire suppression system 100 utilizes other types of agents.

[0018] The fire suppressant supply includes a series of containers (e.g., vessels, suppressant containers, vats, drums, tanks, canisters, cartridges, or cans, etc.), shown as tanks 110, that each contain a volume of fire suppressant. The tanks 110 are arranged in groups or subassemblies (e.g., container subassemblies), shown as tank subassemblies 112. Each tank 110 is coupled to a valve 106, puncture device, or activator assembly, shown as actuator 102. The actuators 102 can selectively fluidly couple an internal volume of each tank 110 to a conduit (e.g., a hose, a pipe, a tube, etc.), shown as supply conduit 104. In some implementations, the actuators 102 are manually actuated by a user (e.g., by hand). In other implementations, the actuators 102 are actuated by a signal (e.g., an electrical signal, a flow of pressurized fluid, etc.). In other implementations, the actuators 102 are omitted, and the tanks 110 are directly coupled to the supply conduit 104.

[0019] The supply conduit 104 fluidly couples the tanks 110 to regulator valves 42. In some examples, the supply conduit 104 fluidly couples the tanks 110 to one another, such that the tank subassembly 112 has a single, continuous volume. The supply conduit 104 may be an assembly including one or more straight or bent sections of conduit and / or one or more fittings. Each tank 110 may be a non-refillable tank designed for one-time use, such that the tanks 110 are not refilled or reused. In some implementations, each tank 110 is refillable and capable of repeated54909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) use. Each tank 110 may be manufactured from a metal material (e.g., steel, aluminum, etc.). In some implementations, the tanks 110 are manufactured from different materials and / or combinations of materials (e.g., a composite, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber).

[0020] A sensor (e.g., pressure sensor, strain-gauge, piezometer, manometer, quantity sensor, fill level sensor, etc.), shown as sensor 108, is coupled to the tanks 110 and can detect the pressure and / or the quantity of the fire suppressant within the tank subassembly 112. The sensor 108 may be used to monitor the performance of the fire suppression system 100 and indicate if maintenance is required. By way of example, the sensor 108 may measure a pressure of the tank subassembly 112 and send an indication to the controller 30 that maintenance is required (e.g., to address a leak in the supply conduit, etc.) if the measured pressure is higher or lower than a pressure threshold. Each tank subassembly 112 may be coupled to a different sensor 108. The sensor 108 is operatively coupled to the controller 30.

[0021] Referring further to FIG. 1, each tank subassembly 112 includes one or more tanks 110 fluidly coupled to a supply conduit 104. The tanks 110 included in the tank subassembly 112 may be connected in parallel such that the tanks 110 each supply fire suppressant at approximately the same rate. The tanks 110 included in the tank subassembly 112 may be fluidly coupled in series such that the fire suppressant contained in one of the tanks 110 is depleted before the fire suppressant contained in the next tank 110 in the series is supplied. By way of example, each tank 110 in the tank subassemblies 112 are coupled with valve 106 that may be actuated open from a closed position (i.e., not supplying fire suppressant). In this example, an actuator 102 is coupled with one or more of the valves 106 and is in communication with the controller 30. The first actuator 102 would open the first valve 106, and the succeeding actuator 102 in the series would then open the succeeding valve 106 once the fire suppressant contained in the preceding tank 110 is depleted. In this way, one or more sensors 108 (e.g., pressure sensors, fill level sensors, etc.) may be communicatively coupled with the controller 30, such that the controller 30 may send an electronic signal to the succeeding actuator 102 responsive to receiving data from the sensors 108 indicative of the preceding tank 110 being depleted. As shown in FIG. 1, the tank subassemblies can be arranged in with one or more master tanks 11064909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) and one or more subordinate tanks 110 in a tank subassembly 112. In this example, the master tanks 110 are coupled with a valve 106 and an electronic actuator 102, and the subordinate tanks 110 are coupled with a valve 106 and a pressure activated actuator 120 (e.g., a pneumatic actuator, etc.). The master tanks are coupled with the subordinate tanks by an actuation line 118 that transmits pressure from the master tank to the subordinate tanks. The master tanks are opened by the electronic actuators 102 responsive to receiving a signal from the controller 30 that a fire is present. The increased pressure from the master container causes the pressure activated actuators 120 on the subordinate tanks to open the valves 106 on the subordinate tanks.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the manifold 47 and the tanks 110 can be joined by a series of regulator valves 42. Each regulator valve 42 can receive fire suppressant from one of the tanks 110 at a first pressure and can deliver the fire suppressant to the manifold 47 at a second pressure. In some examples, the second pressure is lower than the first pressure. Each supply conduit 104 includes an end portion that is fluidly coupled to one of the regulator valves 42. As shown in FIG. 1, each tank 110 is connected to a regulator valve by a supply conduit 104. The tanks 110 can be linked in series by the supply conduit 104. In this example, multiple tanks 110 are fluidly coupled with one regulator valve 42.

[0023] Each regulator valve 42 can be a pressure reducing regulator that maintains the pressure downstream of the regulator valve 42 (e.g., the second pressure in the manifold 47) at a desired threshold pressure. Responsive to the downstream pressure (e.g., the pressure in the manifold 47) falling below the desired pressure, the regulator valve 42 can permit a larger volume of fire suppressant to flow from the tanks 110 through the regulator valve 42. Responsive to the manifold 47 reaching the desired threshold pressure, the regulator valve 42 limits or prevents further fire suppressant from passing through the regulator valve 42 to maintain the threshold pressure. While the internal pressure of the manifold 47 remains at or above the desired threshold pressure, the regulator valve 42 may prevent additional fire suppressant from flowing through the regulator valve 42. The desired threshold pressure may be predetermined (e.g., preset by an operator when initially installing the fire suppression system 100). In an example, the threshold pressure is at least 60 bar. By way of example, once the manifold 47 reaches the pressure74909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) threshold from the flow of fire suppressant through the manifold 47, the selector valves 51 and52 are actuated open by the internal pressure of the manifold 47. In some examples, the solenoids53 and 54 assist in opening the selector valves 51 and 52 in addition to the threshold pressure inside the manifold 47. In this way, the fire suppression system 100 can utilize the pressure internal to the manifold 47 to distribute fire suppressant without additional external pressure sources (e.g., nitrogen pilot tanks, etc.). Therefore, utilizing the threshold pressure inside the manifold 47 reduces the overall cost of the fire suppression system 100 by removing external pressure tanks and their associated connective line.

[0024] Each tank 110 can be coupled with a flow control element, shown as check valve 43, positioned between the tanks 110 and the corresponding regulator valve 42. The check valve 43 fluidly couples the tanks 110 to the corresponding regulator valve 42. The check valve 43 permits flow from the tanks 110 to the regulator valve 42 and limits (e.g., prevents) flow from the regulator valve 42 back to the tanks 110.

[0025] Still referring to FIG. 1, the manifold 47, fluidly couples the downstream sides of the regulator valve 42 to one another and to one or more valves (e.g., selector valves, ball valves, slide valves, pressure regulating valves, etc.), shown as a first selector valve 51 and a second selector valve 52. In other implementations, the manifold 47 is connected to more or fewer regulator valves 42 and / or selector valves.

[0026] In some implementations, one or more of the tank subassemblies 112 may be at different pressures before and / or after supplying the fire suppressant to the regulator valve 42. By way of example, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 of the first tank subassembly 112 may be pressurized to 300 bar, and the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 of the second tank subassembly 112 may be pressurized to 300 bar before and / or after supplying the fire suppressant to the regulator valve 42. Regardless of this discrepancy in the first pressure on the upstream sides of the regulator valves 42, the regulator valves 42 may regulate the second pressure downstream of the regulator valves 42 to be equal, such that the pressure within the support manifold 46 may be substantially homogenous.84909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0027] As shown, the manifold 47 includes a first section or portion or inlet manifold portion, shown as support manifold 46, fluidly coupled to a second section or portion or outlet manifold portion, shown as selector valve manifold 48. The support manifold 46 can be directly fluidly coupled to each of the regulator valves 42. The support manifold 46 unites the flow of gas or fluid downstream of each of the regulator valve 42. The support manifold 46, the regulator valves 42, the check valves 43, and the supply conduits 104 can form a pressure regulation assembly that maintains a pressure threshold within the manifold 47. The selector valve manifold 48 can be directly fluidly coupled to the selector valves 51 and 52 and the discharge nozzles 57. The selector valve manifold 48 distributes the united flow of gas or fluid to each of the selector valves 51 and 52. Accordingly, the support manifold 46 and the selector valve manifold 48 fluidly couple the regulator valves 42 to the first and second selector valves 51 and 52. The manifold 47 may define a single, continuous manifold volume that extends uninterrupted throughout the support manifold 46 and the selector valve manifold 48 from the regulator valve 42 to the selector valves 51 and 52. In some implementations, the manifold 47 is a single, continuous piece (e.g., a weldment of several pipes). In other implementations, the manifold 47 is formed from several pieces coupled to one another (e.g., hoses or pipes coupled by one or more fittings, etc.).

[0028] In some examples, each of the selector valves 51 and 52 are connected to a larger piping distribution network than what is shown in FIG. 1. The piping distribution network supplies fire suppressant to nozzles (e.g., open nozzles, sprinklers, etc.) shown as discharge nozzles 57. The fire suppressant is distributed through the discharge nozzles 57 to an area to suppress detected fires. The piping distribution network may be assemblies including one or more straight or bent sections of conduit and / or one or more fittings. The piping distribution network can deliver the fire suppressant to the areas through one or more of the discharge nozzles 57. More discharge nozzles 57 may be needed to control or suppress a fire if the area is large, the intensity of the fire is great, or for other reasons. The fire suppression system 100 may supply fire suppressant through all the discharge nozzles 57 simultaneously. Alternatively, the fire suppression system 100 may supply fire suppressant through only a certain subset of the94909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) discharge nozzles 57. In some implementations, a fire associated with or in an area is suppressed by the fire suppressant distributed by one or more discharge nozzles 57.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an actuation system 200 is shown according to one or more implementations. The actuation system 200 is shown to include the actuator 102 and the valve 106. The actuator 102 can include a lever 116. The actuation system 200 can further include a pressure gauge 114 and a sensor 108. The actuator 102 is shown as an electronic actuator coupled with a valve 106. The actuator 102 can include a lever 116 to manually operate the actuator 102. The actuator 102 can open the valve 106 and release fire suppressant from the tank 110 responsive to receiving an activation signal. In some implementations, the actuator 102 receives electronic activation signals from the controller 30. In other implementations, a user may manually operate the lever 116 of the actuator 102 to open the valve 106 and release the fire suppressant from the tank 110.

[0030] By way of example, the actuation system 200 is coupled with a master tank in a tank subassembly 112. The master tank is coupled with one or more subordinate tanks in the tank subassembly by an actuation line 118. The actuation line 118 couples a pressure port of the master tank to the actuators 102 of the subordinate tanks. In this example, the actuators 120 of the subordinate tank are pneumatic actuators or other similar pressure-activated actuators, whereas the actuator 102 of the master tank is an electronic actuator. The electronic actuator 102 of the master tank receives an activation signal from the controller 30 that causes the electronic actuator 102 to open the valve 106. This causes a pressure release from the master tank 110 to the supply conduit 104 and the actuation line 118. The actuation line 118 transmits pressure from the master tank to the pneumatic actuators 120 of the subordinate tanks, causing the pneumatic actuators 120 to open the valves 106 of the subordinate tanks.

[0031] The pressure gauge 114 measures the pressure of the fire suppressant within the tanks 110. In some implementations, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 is pressurized to approximately 300 bar (e.g., at least 305 bar, at least 210 bar, etc.). Increasing the storage pressure of the tanks 110 facilitates storing the fire suppressant, which may be or include a gas,104909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) in a smaller volume at a higher fill density, and in turn reduces the overall area required to store the tanks 110. In other implementations, the fire suppressant contained in one or more tanks 110 may be at different pressures (e.g., a pressure less than 300 bar). In other implementations, the fire suppressant within the tanks 110 is pressurized to at least 300 bar.

[0032] As discussed above, a sensor 108 (e.g., pressure sensor, strain-gauge, piezometer, manometer, quantity sensor, fill level sensor, etc.) can be coupled to the tank subassembly 112 (e.g., to an individual tank 110) and can detect the pressure and / or the quantity of the fire suppressant within the tanks 110. The sensor 108 may be used to monitor the performance of the fire suppression system 100 and indicate if maintenance is required. By way of example, the sensor 108 may measure a pressure of the tank subassembly 112 and send an indication to the controller 30 that maintenance is required (e.g., to address a leak in the supply conduit, etc.) if the measured pressure is higher or lower than a pressure threshold. Each tank 110 may be coupled to a different sensor 108. The sensor 108 is operatively coupled to the controller 30.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 3, the fire suppression system 100 can include a control system 300. The control system 300 includes a processing circuit, shown as controller 30. The controller 30 includes a processor 32 in communication with a memory device, shown as memory 34. The memory 34 may contain one or more instructions that, when executed by the processor 32, cause the controller 30 to control various components of the control system 300 to perform the processes described herein.

[0034] The controller 30 can be coupled to one or more of the actuators 102 and the solenoids 53 and 54. The controller 30 can be communicatively coupled with the sensors 108, which may transmit data associated with the quantity of fire suppressant and the pressure inside the tanks 110. The controller 30 may activate the actuators 102 to open the valves 106 and supply the fire suppressant to an area in response to an indication that a fire may be present in or near the area. Responsive to receiving an indication that a fire is present in or near the area, the controller 30 may activate the solenoids 53 and 54 to assist the threshold pressure inside the manifold 47 in opening the selector valves 51 and 52 to supply the fire suppressant to the area.114909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0035] The control system 300 can include at least one first activator 36. The first activator 36 can include a manual activator 36. The first activator 36 can include one or more sensors or user interfaces. The manual activator 36 may include one or more pull levers, buttons, knobs, switches, touch screens, or any other type of user interface device that facilitates interaction with (e.g., receiving an input from) a user. The manual activators 36 may be marked to indicate that a user should interact with the manual activators 36 (e.g., push a button, pull a pull station, etc.) in the event of a fire. In response to such an interaction, a manual activator 36 sends a fire detection signal to the controller 30 indicating that a fire has been detected or that a user believes that a fire is likely to be present.

[0036] The control system 300 can include at least one second activator 38. The second activator 38 can include an automatic activator 38. The second activator 38 can include one or more sensors, fire detection sensors, or fire detection devices. The automatic activators 38 may include temperature or heat sensors (e.g., thermocouples, linear detection wires, etc.), smoke detectors, optical sensors (e.g., cameras, infrared sensors, etc.), or other types of sensors that can detect the presence of a fire or an indication that a fire may be present. In response to such a detection, the automatic activator 38 sends a fire detection signal to the controller 30.

[0037] The controller 30 may determine that a fire is present in a particular area or areas based on the fire detection signal transmitted to the controller 30 by the manual activators 36 and the automatic activators 38. In response to receiving a fire detection signal, the controller 30 can send an activation signal to the actuators 102 coupled with the tanks 110 and the solenoids 53 and 54 operatively coupled with the selector valves 51 and 52. In some examples, the controller 30 can send an activation signal to the selector valves 51 and 52. In some implementations, the activation signal is an electrical signal. In other implementations, the activation signal is or causes a flow of pressurized fluid (e.g., gas, liquid) or a movement of a mechanical member (e.g., the actuator 102, the valve 106, a cable, a lever, etc.).

[0038] The areas may be or include any space (e.g., room, building, enclosure, volume, zone, etc.) where any asset (e.g., hard drives, power supplies, books, etc.) is stored and there is a risk of124909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) fire. Each area may have dedicated manual activators 36 and dedicated automatic activators 38. The manual activators 36 and automatic activators 38 dedicated to a specific area indicate to the controller 30 in which area the fire was detected. Each area may have one or more manual activators 36 and automatic activators 38 positioned near or in the area. Accordingly, the controller 30 selects which of the solenoids 53 and 54 and / or selector valves 51 and 52 to activate based on which of the manual activator 36 or the automatic activators 38 has supplied the fire detection signal.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, a flow chart of a method 400 of operating a fire suppression system is shown, according to one or more implementations. At step 402, the method includes providing one or more tanks holding fire suppressant (e.g., the tanks 110). Each of the one or more tanks are operatively coupled with a valve (e.g., the valve 106) and / or an actuator (e.g., the actuator 102). The tanks are fluidly coupled with a manifold and one or more selector valves 51, 52. In some examples, the tanks are fluidly coupled with regulator valves 42 and check valves 43 that moderate the flow of fire suppressant to the manifold 47.

[0040] At step 404, the fire suppression system detects a fire and transmits an activation signal. More specifically, a controller 30 receives sensor data associated with a fire, smoke, or excessive heat. Simultaneously, or nearly simultaneously, the controller 30 may send an electronic signal to the actuators 102 and / or valves 106 coupled with the tanks 110. In some examples, the controller 30 transmits the electronic signal to one or more solenoids 53, 54 to open or assist in opening one or more selector valves 51, 52.

[0041] At step 406 the actuators 102, 120 and / or valves 106 open the tanks to release the fire suppressant from the tanks 110. In some implementations all of the tanks 110 in the fire suppression system 100 are opened to release fire suppressant responsive to receiving the activation signal. In other implementations some tanks 110 (e.g., the master tank or tanks, a first tank from each tank subassembly 112, etc.). Opening the tanks 110 causes a pressure differential between the manifold 47 and the tank 110, which drives the fire suppressant through the manifold 47. In some examples, the flow of fire suppressant brings the internal pressure of the134909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) manifold 47 up to a threshold pressure. In some examples, regulator valves 42 are disposed between the tank 110 and the manifold 47. The regulator valves 42 can operate to regulate the flow of fire suppressant from the tanks 110 to the manifold 47. In this way, the internal pressure of the manifold 47 may be maintained at the threshold pressure until the fire suppressant is depleted from the tanks 110 or until the fire is extinguished.

[0042] At step 408, the selector valves 51, 52 are caused to actuate to an open position from a closed position, at least in part, by the threshold pressure inside the manifold 47. In some implementations, the selector valves 51, 52 open responsive to receiving an activation signal from the controller 30. In some implementations, solenoids 53, 54 operate the selector valves 51, 52 to open responsive to receiving an activation signal from the controller 30. At step 410, fire suppressant flows through the open selector valves 51, 52 to an area.

[0043] As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean + / - 10% of the disclosed values. When the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are applied to a structural feature (e.g., to describe its shape, size, orientation, direction, etc.), these terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

[0044] It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).144909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0045] The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0046] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0047] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to154909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and / or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers, and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or nonvolatile memory and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.10048] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machine to perform a certain function or group of functions.164909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)

[0049] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0050] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the fire suppression system as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.174909-5833-2742.1

Claims

Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A fire suppression system comprising: one or more tanks containing fire suppressant, each of the one or more tanks coupled with an actuator, the actuator to open the one or more tanks; a manifold fluidly coupled with the one or more tanks, wherein the actuator opening the one or more tanks causes a pressure differential between the manifold and the one or more tanks that drives a flow of the fire suppressant from the one or more tanks through the manifold, the flow of the fire suppressant through the manifold generating a threshold pressure in the manifold; and one or more valves fluidly coupled with the manifold, the one or more valves to selectively supply the fire suppressant to an area, wherein the one or more valves are actuated to an open position by the threshold pressure in the manifold to allow the fire suppressant to flow through the one or more valves.

2. The fire suppression system of claim 1, further comprising a controller to: determine that a fire is present in the area; activate the actuator based on a determination that the fire is present at the area; and activate a solenoid, operatively coupled with the one or more valves, based on the determination that the fire is present in the area.

3. The fire suppression system of claim 2, wherein the controller is to determine that the fire is present in the area based on at least one of (a) a manual input from a user or (b) an input from a sensor.

4. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the one or more valves are selector valves.

5. The fire suppression system of claim 1, further comprising: a pressure regulation assembly, comprising:184909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) a conduit fluidly coupled with the one or more tanks; and a regulator valve coupled with the conduit and the manifold, wherein the regulator valve is to maintain flow of the fire suppressant at a predetermined pressure threshold.

6. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the one or more tanks comprise a tank subassembly, the tank subassembly comprising a master tank coupled with one or more subordinate tanks by an actuation line, wherein the master tank opening transmits pressure through the actuation line to open the one or more subordinate tanks.

7. The fire suppression system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more valves comprise a first selector valve and a second selector valve, wherein the first selector valve is to direct a first portion of the fire suppressant to a first area and the second selector valve is to direct a second portion of the fire suppressant to a second area.

8. The fire suppression system of claim 1, wherein the threshold pressure is at least 60 bar.

9. A valve assembly comprising: a manifold; one or more selector valves fluidly coupled with the manifold, the one or more selector valves to selectively supply fire suppressant to an area; and a valve coupled with an actuator and a tank holding a quantity of fire suppressant, the actuator to open the valve and release the fire suppressant to a regulator valve at a first pressure; wherein the regulator valve supplies the manifold with the fire suppressant at a second pressure, the second pressure to actuate the one or more selector valves to an open position such that the fire suppressant flows through the one or more selector valves to the area.

10. The valve assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a check valve coupled with the regulator valve, the check valve is to prevent fluid flow from the manifold through the regulator valve.

11. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the second pressure is at least 60 bar.194909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO)12. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein a controller is operatively coupled with the actuator and is to activate the actuator to open the valve and supply the fire suppressant to the area responsive to an indication that a fire is present.

13. The valve assembly of claim 12, wherein the controller is to determine that the fire is present in the area based on at least one of (a) a manual input from a user or (b) an input from a sensor.

14. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or more selector valves comprise a first selector valve and a second selector valve, wherein the first selector valve is to direct a first portion of the fire suppressant to a first area and the second selector valve is to direct a second portion of the fire suppressant to a second area.

15. The valve assembly of claim 9, wherein the one or more selector valves are coupled to a solenoid, the solenoid to assist the second pressure in opening the one or more selector valves.

16. A method of suppressing a fire, the method comprising: receiving an activation signal from a controller; opening, responsive to receiving the activation signal, a valve coupled with a tank containing fire suppressant to pressurize a manifold to a threshold pressure and direct a volume of fire suppressant through the manifold to a selector valve to selectively supply the volume of fire suppressant to an area; and opening, by the threshold pressure in the manifold, the selector valve to supply the volume of fire suppressant to the area via the selector valve.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: activating a solenoid operatively coupled with the selector valve responsive to receiving the activation signal.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising:204909-5833-2742.1Atty. Dkt. No. 116138-1548 (FSH-24-8586-WO) supplying the manifold with the fire suppressant through a regulator valve, the regulator valve to maintain a pressure of the fire suppressant supplied to the manifold at the threshold pressure.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: coupling the regulator valve with a check valve, the check valve to prevent fluid flow from the manifold through the regulator valve.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising: supplying a first portion of the volume of fire suppressant to a first area via a first selector valve; and supplying a second portion of the volume of fire suppressant to a second area via a second selector valve.214909-5833-2742.1

Images