Patent ID: 7506478
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: A62C,B64D

Abstract:
1. A method for detecting smoke in an aircraft and smothering a fire in an enclosed space in said aircraft, wherein said aircraft includes a defined gap ( 4 ) forming an air and smoke flow passage ( 12 ) that communicates into said enclosed space, and said aircraft further includes a fire resistant intumescent material installed alongside said defined gap, said method comprising the following steps: a) selecting said fire resistant intumescent material to have a temperature responsive expansion characteristic which prevents an expansion of said fire resistant intumescent material to close said defined gap in response to a first temperature that is sufficient to generate smoke and insufficient to generate a fire in said enclosed space, and which permits expansion of said fire resistant intumescent material in response to a second temperature higher than said first temperature and sufficient to generate a fire in said enclosed space, b) exposing said fire resistant intumescent material to said first temperature while smoke is generated in said enclosed space, whereby said fire resistant intumescent material does not expand so as to close said defined gap, such that said defined gap remains open and permits said smoke to escape out of said enclosed space through said defined gap to enable said detecting of said smoke outside of said enclosed space, and c) exposing said fire resistant intumescent material to said second temperature while said fire is generated in said enclosed space, whereby said fire resistant intumescent material undergoes expansion, and further guiding said fire resistant intumescent material during the expansion thereof with a guide surface to fill said defined gap thereby substantially sealing said defined gap to reduce or stop an air supply to said fire in said enclosed space so as to smother said fire, wherein said guide surface leaves an exposed area of said intumescent material uncovered and unconfined, and said exposed area of said intumescent material faces toward said defined gap, whereby said intumescent material during said expansion will be guided by said guide surface to expand outwardly from said exposed area toward and into said defined gap.