Fire extinguishing system

An automatic fire extinguishing system is provided. The fire extinguishing system includes a housing having a detection assembly and a dispensing assembly. The detection assembly includes one or more sensors, such as infrared sensors configured to detect a fire. The fire extinguishing system emits an audible alarm through a speaker system upon detection of a fire. Further, the dispensing assembly is configured to eject a plurality of fire extinguishing balls towards a fire via compressed air. The dispensing assembly includes a reservoir configured to support the plurality of fire extinguishing balls, an air tank filled with compressed air, a valve electrically connected to a microprocessor, and a barrel. The air tank is in fluid communication with the barrel via the valve, whereby compressed air is released from the air tank to propel a fire extinguishing ball through the barrel to be ejected towards a fire.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to fire protection systems. More specifically, the present invention pertains to an improved fire extinguishing system configured to detect a fire and dispense a plurality of fire extinguishing balls towards a fire in order to extinguish the same.

Fire protection is important in mitigating the effects of potentially destructive fires. Fires are typically classified under classes, which aid in deciding the proper fire protection appropriate for any given situation. Under North America classifications, fires that involve flammable solids such as wood, cloth, rubber, paper and some types of plastics are classified as Class A. Fires that involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and paint are classified under Class B. Fires that involve flammable gases, such as natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and butane are also classified under Class B. Fires that involve combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium are classified under Class D. Fires that involve any of the materials found in Class A and Class B fires, but with the introduction of electrical wiring are classified under Class C. Finally, fires involving cooking fats and oils are classified under Class K. Some fire extinguishing agents can be used on more than one class of fire, however, other extinguishing agents have warnings where it would be dangerous for the operator to use a particular fire extinguishing agent for a specific class of fire.

Fire protection is typically achieved via three general methods: passive fire protection, active fire protection, and education. Passive fire protection involves the installation of firewalls and fire rated floor assemblies to form fire compartments intended to limit the spread of fire, high temperatures, and smoke. Active fire protection describes manual and automatic detection and suppression of fires, such as sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems. Lastly, education is the passing of information regarding the passive fire protection systems and the active fire protection systems to building owners, occupants, emergency personnel, and others so that they have a working understanding of these systems along with proper reaction during a fire related emergency.

Some active protection systems include fire alarm systems, which are electronic devices that are used to detect and alert people through visual and audio appliances when smoke/fire is present. These alarms may be activated from smoke detectors, heat detectors, water flow sensors, which are automatic or from a manual fire alarm pull station. Other active protection systems include fire sprinkler systems that discharge water when the effects of a fire have been detected, such as when a heat detector detects when a predetermined temperature has been exceeded. However, these common fire alarm systems and fire sprinkler systems do not eject fire extinguishing balls configured to extinguish fires.

The present invention provides a fire extinguishing system having a housing that encloses a detection assembly and a dispensing assembly. The detection assembly includes at least one sensor, a microprocessor, and a speaker system, wherein the detection assembly is configured to detect a fire and emit an audible alarm. The dispensing assembly is configured to directionally eject a plurality of fire extinguishing balls towards a fire upon detection by the sensor. The dispensing assembly comprises a reservoir configured to support a plurality of fire extinguishing balls, an air tank filled with compressed air, a valve and a barrel, wherein the microprocessor is configured to actuate the valve and release compressed air from the air tank through the barrel. In this way, the fire extinguishing ball lodged within the barrel is pushed through to be ejected out an end of the barrel towards a fire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fire extinguishing systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new and improved fire extinguishing system wherein the same can be utilized for detecting and extinguishing a fire without user intervention or activity.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system comprising a housing that encloses a detection assembly for detecting a fire and a dispensing assembly for ejecting fire extinguishing balls towards a fire.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system comprising a detection assembly having one or more sensors, a microprocessor, and a speaker system.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system, wherein the dispensing assembly is configured to eject a plurality of fire extinguishing balls directionally towards a fire.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system wherein the dispensing assembly further comprises a rotating actuator configured to rotate the barrel to align an end of the barrel with the sensor to allow the plurality of fire extinguishing balls to be directionally ejected towards the fire.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fire extinguishing system wherein the device may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

References are made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the fire extinguishing system. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used to alert people within the vicinity of a nearby fire and dispense fire extinguishing balls towards the fire. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown views of the fire extinguishing system. The fire extinguishing system20comprises a housing21having a base portion22and a conical portion23extending outwardly and downwardly therefrom. The conical portion23is preferably centrally located on the base portion22, however, it is contemplated that the conical portion23can be affixed in other suitable locations as readily envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art having the present disclosure. It is likewise contemplated that other shapes and sizes for the conical portion23are also appropriate. In addition, the base portion22is preferably cylindrical in shape, wherein a rear side of the base portion22includes an adhesive or another similar fastener that is configured to removably attach the base portion22to a support surface.

The fire extinguishing system20can be used in any of various locations. In the illustrated embodiment, the fire extinguishing system20is shown as being secured to a ceiling of a room, such as within a house or office. However, the fire extinguishing system20can similarly be used in outdoor or public spaces, such as parks, among others. The fire extinguishing system20can be mounted to vehicles such as planes. Further, the fire extinguishing system20can be utilized in factories, warehouses, power plants, and the like.

The base portion22and the conical portion23form an interior volume configured to support a detection assembly24and a dispensing assembly25. The detection assembly24comprises at least one sensor26configured to detect a fire. Preferably, the sensor26comprises an infrared sensor. The detection assembly24further comprises a microprocessor and a speaker system, which allows for an audible alarm to be emitted to warn a user of an emergency situation when the sensor detects smoke. Once the detection assembly24detects a fire, the dispensing assembly25is configured to eject a plurality of fire extinguishing balls27filled with fire suppressant through a barrel39towards the fire.

The conical portion23further includes an apex40having an opening configured to receive the barrel39therethrough. The barrel39is configured to extend downwardly and perpendicularly in relation to the base portion22. The barrel39is cylindrical in shape having a first end and a second end41. The dispensing assembly25is configured to eject fire extinguishing balls27through the second end41towards a fire detected by the sensor26.

Generally, these fire extinguishing balls27are thrown or rolled into the flames of a fire, where the plurality of fire extinguishing balls27will activate and spread preferably, a dry powdered fire suppressant. Preferably, the dry powdered fire suppressant filled within the fire extinguishing balls27is mono-ammonium phosphate, however, other suitable nontoxic alternatives are likewise contemplated. The fire extinguishing balls27comprise an activation strip embedded within the ball's outer casing, which securely holds the fire suppressant inside. When the activation strip is exposed to flames or elevated temperatures for more than a few seconds, the casing will burst open and disperse a cloud of the fire suppressant in the immediate vicinity. In this way, the fire extinguishing balls27are particularly advantageous for fire protection for homeowners, which require little to no human intervention.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there are shown a schematic diagram of the fire extinguishing system20. The fire extinguishing system20comprises a detection assembly24and a dispensing assembly25. The fire extinguishing system20comprises a power supply34, such as one or more batteries. However, other power sources are used in alternate embodiments, such as a power cord plugged into a standard electrical outlet.

The detection assembly24comprises at least one sensor26, a microprocessor28, and a speaker system. The sensor26is preferably an infrared sensor adapted to detect elevated temperatures associated with fire. The infrared sensor is thus able to determine the size and extent of the fire, and whether the fire has been extinguished. Alternatively, the sensor26may be configured to detect smoke, which is generally an indicator of a fire. In such embodiments, the sensor26is a photoelectric smoke detector or an ionization smoke detection. Preferably, a plurality of sensors26are evenly spaced on the housing of the fire extinguishing device20so as to increase the sensitivity of the fire extinguishing device20.

Each sensor26is electrically connected to the microprocessor28, wherein each sensor is configured to transmit a digital signal to the microprocessor28upon detection of a fire. The microprocessor28is also electrically coupled to a digital storage medium29, wherein the microprocessor28is configured to retrieve a digital alert file from the digital storage medium29and transmit the digital alert file to the speaker system30. The digital storage medium29is preferably a Random Access Memory (RAM) or a hard drive, however, other suitable alternatives are used in other embodiments. The microprocessor28functions primarily as a conduit between the sensors26and the speaker system30.

The speaker system30comprises a digital-to-analog converter (DAC)31, an amplifier32, and a speaker33. The digital alert file transmitted from the microprocessor28is converted into an analog signal by the DAC31, which is its primary function. The amplifier32intensifies the generally low powered analog signal from the DAC31to a level suitable for driving the speaker33. Generally, the analog signal inputted to the amplifier32may only be a few hundred microwatts, however, the amplifier can output tens to hundreds of watts based on preference. The speaker33receives the analog signal from the amplifier32and plays the digital alert file stored within the digital storage medium29to sound an audible alarm configured to alert people within the vicinity of an emergency.

In some embodiments, the fire extinguishing system20further comprises a wireless transmitter adapted to send a signal to a user's mobile device, such as a cell phone, laptop, tablet or other device in the event of a fire. This allows the user to respond to the fire and to call for help. The notification may also help to alert the user if he or she is near the fire but is otherwise unaware of the fire. Thus, the mobile device is adapted to be paired to the fire extinguishing system20so as to allow communication therewith.

In some embodiments, the detection assembly24further comprises an on/off activation switch35that is configured to provide electrical communication between the power source34and the detection assembly24. Preferably, the on/off activation switch35is a standard rocker switch, however, other suitable switches, such as depressible buttons and toggle switches, are likewise contemplated. The on/off activation switch35is configured to deactivate the detection assembly24to facilitate any adjustments needed, such as moving the fire extinguishing system20to another location or the changing of the power source34.

Furthermore, the microprocessor28is also electrically connected to the dispensing assembly25that is configured to eject fire extinguishing balls27towards the direction of the fire. The dispensing assembly25comprises a reservoir36, an air tank37filled with compressed air, a valve38, and a barrel39. The reservoir36is configured to support a plurality of the fire extinguishing balls27and load the plurality of fire extinguishing balls27within the barrel39one at a time. It is not desired to limit the shape and size of the reservoir36of the dispensing assembly25. Rather, it is desired to disclose and claim a functional reservoir36configured to support the fire extinguishing balls and obtain the results and advantages described in this present disclosure. These modifications and variations are deemed within the scope and spirit of the inventive embodiments described herein.

Upon detection of fire by the sensor26, each sensor26is configured to transmit a signal to the microprocessor28, wherein the microprocessor28is prompted to actuate a valve38, wherein the valve38is in air communication with the air tank37. In this way, compressed air supported within the air tank37is released into the barrel39and the fire extinguishing ball27lodged within the barrel39is pushed in front by the compressed air and thereby ejected towards the fire. The fire extinguishing balls27are continually dispensed until the fire has been eliminated. Fire extinguishing balls27no longer released when the infrared sensor determines that there is no longer elevated temperatures associated with a fire.

In some embodiments, the microprocessor28is also electrically connected to a rotating actuator50. The rotating actuator50is configured to extend the barrel39downwardly to allow for the plurality of fire extinguishing balls to be ejected through the second end of the barrel. The rotating actuator50also is configured to rotate the barrel39so that the second end of the barrel39aligns with the sensor26that first detected smoke. In this way, the plurality of fire extinguishing balls27can be directionally projected towards the location of the fire. Preferably, the rotating actuator50is an electromechanical rotating actuator, however, the type, size or shape of the electromechanical rotating actuator is not contemplated. The purpose of this disclosure is disclose and claim a functional rotating actuator50that is configured to obtain the results and advantages disclosed herein. It is contemplated that these modifications and variations are deemed within the scope of the inventive embodiments of this disclosure.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above descriptions then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specifications are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.