Patent ID: 7533734
Filing Date: 2009-05-19
Classification: A62C

Abstract:
1. A fire suppression device for dispensing a fire retardant foam into an aircraft cargo compartment, comprising: a housing including a piston chamber, a gas inlet for connection to a source of pressurized gas, a gas flow passage for connecting the gas inlet to an extend side of the piston chamber, and a foaming agent inlet for connection to a source of a foaming agent; a plunger including a piston movable in the piston chamber between a retracted position and an extended position when pressurized gas is supplied to the extend side of the piston chamber via the gas inlet and gas flow passage; and a foaming chamber having a discharge opening through which fire retardant foam is dispensed from the foaming chamber, the foaming chamber being connected at its inlet end by an inlet passage that communicates with the foaming agent inlet when the plunger is in its extended position; wherein the housing includes a second gas inlet for connection to a source of pressurized gas, and a second gas flow passage connecting the second gas inlet to a retract side of the piston chamber in the housing; and wherein the second gas inlet opens to a side of the plunger such that it becomes exposed to the retract side of the piston chamber during retraction of the plunger, and the plunger includes a poppet valve for closing the inlet passage to the foaming chamber when pressurized gas is supplied to the second gas inlet, thereby to prevent the pressurized gas from escaping through the foaming chamber.