Abstract:
A valve assembly for controlling the release or delivery of a fire suppression medium from a vessel, the assembly comprising an inlet connectable to a pressurised vessel, an outlet connectable to a delivery device, a valve operable to selectively open or close fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet, an opening device for moving the valve from a closed condition to an open condition, first and second actuators and an environmental triggering device, wherein the opening device is operable, in use, remotely by the first actuator or manually by the second actuator or automatically by the environmental triggering device. A fire suppression system employing the above-described valve and a vehicle including the fire suppression system also form a part of this invention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a valve assembly and more particularly to a valve assembly for enabling controlled release or delivery of a fluid or other medium. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a valve assembly for incorporation into the delivery device of a pressurised vessel, such as fire extinguishers and the like, for us in emergency equipment, e.g., emergency vehicles. 
       2. Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    Valve assemblies for emergency equipment are generally controlled manually, for example as described in WO2008/154718 or automatically, for example as described in EP0033062 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,616. Hand-held fire extinguishers, for example, are well known and normally include a safety pin that is pulled or removed to enable manual actuation of a scissor-like handle, which selectively releases the extinguishing medium on actuation. In motorsport, vehicles are sometimes fitted with fire suppression systems that incorporate both a thermal head, which is activated automatically for enhanced safety, and a manual actuator for a driver to trigger the release of fire extinguishing medium if the thermal head has not triggered. 
         [0003]    However, fire events in motorsport can often be sudden, where reaction time of an emergency response is crucial. In such cases, it can be difficult or cumbersome to access and actuate the manual actuator, which can have serious or even fatal consequences. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is therefore a first non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a valve assembly for a pressure vessel that overcomes or at least mitigates the issues associated with prior art valve assemblies. It is a further, more general non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an improved valve assembly. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a valve assembly, e.g. for a fire suppression system and/or for controlling the release or delivery of a fluid or other medium from a vessel, the valve assembly comprising an inlet, e.g. for or connectable to a vessel or pressurised vessel, an outlet, e.g. connectable to a delivery means, valve means operable to selectively open or close fluid communication between the inlet and the outlet and opening means for moving or changing the valve means from a closed position or condition to an open position or condition, wherein the opening means is operable remotely and/or manually and/or automatically. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the opening means comprises two or more, e.g. three, opening means. The opening means or a first opening means may be activated or triggered remotely and/or may comprise a first and/or remote input means or actuator, e.g. a button or switch or keypad or touchscreen, which may operate the opening means electrically or by a fluid and/or may be operatively connected, e.g. electrically or pneumatically or hydraulically connected, to the valve means. For example, the opening means or first opening means may comprise a percussive or explosive means or charge or an electromagnetic or electromechanical means or actuator, e.g. a servo actuator or motor, which may receive and/or be triggered by a signal, e.g. an electrical signal, from the remote input means. In some embodiments, the percussive or explosive means or charge or the electromagnetic or electromechanical means or actuator may be replaced with a fluid powered means or actuator, such as a pneumatic or hydraulic means or actuator, which may receive a fluid-powered or electrical signal from the remote input means. The opening means or a second opening means may additionally or alternatively be activated or triggered manually and/or may comprise a second and/or manual override or actuator that may operate the opening means mechanically or by a cable, which may be slidable within a sheath, or a rod or shaft and/or may be operatively connected, e.g. mechanically connected such as by a cable or rod or shaft, to the valve means. The opening means or a third opening means may comprise an environmental triggering means and/or may be activated or triggered automatically, for example environmentally activated or triggered, e.g. temperature activated or triggered. 
         [0007]    The provision of three means for opening the valve has been found to enable the fire suppression system to be configured such that the response time required to react to a fire is greatly reduced. 
         [0008]    The valve means may be biased to or toward the open position or condition. Alternatively, the valve means may be biased, in use, toward the closed position or condition. 
         [0009]    The valve assembly or opening means may further comprise a release means or abutment means, e.g. for selectively retaining the valve means in the closed position or condition and/or for selectively allowing the valve means to move from the closed position or condition to or toward the open position or condition. The release means or abutment means may comprise a release element or member or device and/or may be breakable or frangible or severable or movable or changeable, for example in response to the actuation of one or each of the first and/or second opening means or actuators and/or in response to the third opening means or automatic triggering means. The release means or abutment means may be changeable or movable between a deployed or stop position or condition, for example in which the valve means may be biased thereagainst, e.g. and inhibited from moving or opening or closing, and an undeployed or retracted or release or released or open or broken or severed or changed position or condition, e.g. in which the valve means may be able to open or close or move uninhibited. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the release means or abutment means comprises a breakable or frangible or severable element or member or bulb, e.g. a glass bulb, against which the valve means abuts, for example wherein the valve member is caused or allowed or permitted to move or change to the open or closed position or condition when the breakable or frangible or severable element or member or bulb is broken or severed. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, one or more or each of the first and/or second and/or third opening means comprises an or a respective activation means, e.g. for operating the release means or the abutment means or for causing it to break or to move or change between the deployed or stop position or condition and the undeployed or retracted or release or released or open position or condition. One or each of first and/or second opening or activation means may comprise a striking element or edge or surface, which may be operable or movable to strike or move the release means or abutment means, e.g. the breakable or frangible or severable element or member or bulb, such as in response to the actuation of one of or a respective one of the first and second actuators. The striking element of the first opening or activation means may be electrically or percussively or explosively or electromechanically or electromagnetically or pneumatically or hydraulically activated or operated or propelled or moved to strike or move the release means or abutment means, e.g. wherein the first actuator comprises an input or button or switch for activating the activation means or percussive or explosive or electromechanical or electromagnetic or pneumatic or hydraulic activation or operation or propulsion or propelling means or force. In some embodiments, the first opening or activation means comprises a percussive or explosive charge and/or a servo actuator, for example which preferably drives the striking element to strike or move the release means or abutment means. The striking element of the second opening or activation means may be mechanically activated or operated or moved to strike or move the release means or abutment means. 
         [0012]    In embodiments, the striking element of the second opening or activation means is biased toward the release means or abutment means, for example by a biasing means or a resilient biasing means such as a spring, and may be retained, e.g. in a retracted position or condition, by a manual release means or abutment means such as a retaining element or pin that may be movable or removable by the second actuator. The retaining element may be movable or removable, for example between or from a deployed or inserted or present position or condition, e.g. in which movement of the second striking element is inhibited, and or to a retracted or removed position or condition, e.g. in which the second striking element is able to move, for example under a resilient and/or spring bias, toward the release means or element. The retaining element may selectively abut an abutment surface and/or may be removably received within a recess or depression or hole or aperture, which may comprise the abutment surface and/or be in the striking element or in a member or element or piston that includes the striking element. The abutment surface or recess or depression or hole or aperture may extend perpendicularly with respect to the striking direction or direction of movement of the striking element. The second actuator may comprise a handle for moving the retaining element from the deployed position to the retracted position or for removing the retaining element, e.g. thereby allowing the striking element to move. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the valve assembly further comprises a safety means or element, such as a pin, e.g. a safety pin, which may selectively prevent operation of the striking means or element or elements, e.g. the second striking element. The safety means or element may abut a or a further abutment surface and/or may be removably received within a or a further recess or depression or hole or aperture, which may comprise the or the further abutment surface, in the striking element or in a piston that includes the striking element. 
         [0014]    Additionally or alternatively, the third opening or activation means may comprise an environmental or thermal activation means that may be configured to operate the release means, e.g. when exposed to one or more predetermined environmental conditions, such as a predetermined temperature and/or pressure, or when one or more predetermined environmental conditions, e.g. temperature and/or pressure, is present or exceeded. In some embodiments, the release means comprises the or a breakable or frangible or severable chamber or bulb, for example with an activation element contained therein, such as an expandable substance or fluid, e.g. thereby providing the third opening or activation means. The bulb may be exposed to the surrounding air, for example by a window. 
         [0015]    The release means or abutment means may additionally or alternatively comprise or be comprised in the third opening means. 
         [0016]    A further aspect of the invention provides a fire suppression device or system comprising a valve assembly as described above. A yet further aspect of the invention provides a vehicle comprising a fire suppression device or system or valve assembly as described above. 
         [0017]    For the avoidance of doubt, any of the features described herein apply equally to any aspect of the invention. 
         [0018]    Within the scope of this application it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one aspect or embodiment of the invention is applicable to all aspects or embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a fire suppression system valve assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an assembled condition; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the valve assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a fire suppression system incorporating the valve assembly of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of a valve assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a vehicle comprising a fire suppression system incorporating a valve assembly according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown a valve assembly  1  according to an embodiment of the invention for incorporation into a fire suppression system  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The valve assembly  1  includes a body  10  with a window  10   a,  an inlet  11 , an outlet  12 , a passageway  13  extending between the inlet  11  and the outlet  12 , a valve  2  for selectively closing the passageway  13 , a first valve activation assembly  3 , a second valve activation assembly  4  and a thermal activation assembly  5 . 
         [0026]    The body  10  is cylindrical with an axial bore  14 , six radial bores  15   a,    15   b,    15   c,    15   d,    15   e,    15   f  and a circumferential flange  16  intermediate the ends of the body  10 . The axial bore  14  includes an inlet portion  14   a,  a valve portion  14   b  and an activation portion  14   c.  The inlet portion  14   a  and the activation portion  14   c  are relatively wide and at opposite ends of the body  10 , while the valve portion  14   b  has a smaller diameter than the inlet and activation portions  14   a,    14   c  and extends therebetween. The valve portion  14   b  also includes a shoulder  14   d  at its intersection with the inlet portion  14   a  and a threaded portion  14   e  at its intersection with the activation portion  14   c.    
         [0027]    The body  10  also includes a threaded spigot  17  surrounding the inlet portion  14   a  of the axial bore  14  with a free end that defines the inlet  11 . One of the radial bores  15   d  extends into the valve portion  14   b  of the axial bore  14  in a central portion of the body  10 , which defines the outlet  12  and receives and threadedly engages an outlet fitting  6 . The outlet radial bore  15   d,  together with the valve portion  14   b  and the inlet portion  14   a  of the axial bore  14  define the passageway  13 . Three of the radial bores  15   a,    15   b,    15   c  extend into the circumferential flange  16 , a first and a second of which radial bores  15   a,    15   b  are radially aligned with the outlet axial bore  15   d  and on opposite sides of the flange  16  from one another, while a third radial bore  15   c  extends perpendicularly with respect to thereto. All three of the radial bores  15   a,    15   b,    15   c  extend into the inlet portion  14   a  of the axial bore  14  between the inlet  11  and the outlet  12 . The first radial bore  15   a  provides a fill port that receives and threadedly engages a Schrader valve  7 , while the second radial bore  15   b  receives and threadedly engages a pressure release valve  8  and the third radial bore  15   c  provides a gauge port that receives and threadedly engages a pressure gauge  9 . The fifth and sixth radial bores  15   e,    15   f  are both adjacent the other end of the body  10 , are aligned axially with the first and second radial bores  15   a,    15   b  and are on opposite sides of the body  10 . Each of the fifth and sixth radial bores  15   e,    15   f  extends into the activation portion  14   c  of the axial bore  14  and provides a respective valve activation port. 
         [0028]    The valve  2  includes a valve member  20 , a valve seat  21 , an O-ring seal  22  and a guide ring  23 . The valve member  20  includes a cylindrical rod portion  24  with an enlarged piston head  25  at a first of its ends and a hemispherical recess  26  in its second end. The piston head  25  includes a circumferential groove within which is received the O-ring seal  22 . The valve seat  21  is provided by a radial surface on the downstream side of the shoulder  14   d  of the valve portion  14   b  of the axial bore  14  of the body  10 . The guide ring  23  includes an external thread  28  for engaging the threaded end  14   e  of the valve portion  14   b  of the axial bore  14  of the body  10  and a central hole  29  sized to receive the second end of the rod portion  24  of the valve member  20 . In the assembled condition shown in  FIG. 1 , the valve member  20  is located within the valve portion  14   b  of the axial bore  14  of the body  10  such that the piston head  25  abuts the valve seat  21  and the second end of the rod portion  24  is slidably received within the central hole  29  of the guide ring  23 . 
         [0029]    The first valve actuation assembly  3  includes a percussive charge cartridge  30  that is activated by a remote input device  31  operatively connected to the cartridge  30  by an electrical cable  32  via a connector  33 . The cartridge  30  is substantially cylindrical with an oversized hexagonal head  30   a  and contains a striking element (not shown). The cartridge  30  is received within an adaptor  34  that has a stepped internal bore against which step the head  30   a  of the cartridge  30  abuts. The adaptor  34  includes an undersized portion  34   a,  which houses the cylindrical portion of the cartridge  30  and includes an external thread that is received within and engages the fifth threaded radial bore  15   e  of the body  10 . The adaptor  34  also includes a main body portion  34   b,  which houses the head  30   a  of the cartridge  30  and includes an external thread at its end. An end cap  35  with an internal thread engages the thread on the main body portion  34   b  of the adaptor  34  and receives the connector  33 , thereby captivating the head  30   a  of the cartridge  30  between the connector  33  and the step in the adaptor  34 . In this embodiment, the percussive charge cartridge  30  contains an explosive material to propel the striking element (not shown). Whilst the first valve actuation assembly  3  incorporates a percussive charge in this embodiment, the skilled person would readily appreciate that the striking element may be propelled or powered by any number of alternative means, such as hydraulics, pneumatics or some other electromechanical or electromagnetic arrangement. 
         [0030]    The second valve activation assembly  4  includes a housing  40 , a striking element  41 , a spring  42 , a stopper  43 , an end cap  44  and first and second rod guide fittings  45 ,  46 . The housing  40  is cylindrical with an axial bore  47 , a main body portion  48  and a threaded spigot portion  49 . The end cap  44  engages a threaded end of the axial bore  47  in the main body portion  48 . The main body portion  48  includes first and second opposed, threaded radial bores  48   a,    48   b  adjacent the threaded end of the axial bore  47  and a radial hole  48   c  adjacent its other end. The striking element  41  includes a rod portion  41   a  with a piston head  41   b  at one end and a striking pin  41   c  projecting from the opposite side of the piston head  41   b  to the rod portion  41   a.  The rod portion  41   a  includes a first radial hole  41   d  adjacent its free end and a second radial hole  41   e  through its centre that extends perpendicularly with respect to the first hole  41   d.  The first rod guide fitting  45  includes a first, threaded end portion  45   a,  a second, connector portion  45   b  and a central hexagonal flange  45   c  between the first and second portions  45   a,    45   b.  The first rod guide fitting  45  also includes an axial hole  45   d  with a first diameter in the first end portion  45   a  and the central flange  45   c  and with a second, larger diameter in the second end portion  45   b.  The second rod guide fitting  46  includes threaded spigot  46   a  extending from a hexagonal flange  46   b  and an axial through hole  46   c.    
         [0031]    In the assembled condition shown in  FIG. 1 , the striking element  41  is slidably received within the axial bore  47  of the housing  40  with the piston head  41   b  and striking pin  41   c  both in the spigot portion  49 , with the second radial hole  41   e  aligned with the radial hole  48   c  in the housing  40  and with the first radial hole  41   d  aligned with the first and second radial bores  48   a,    48   b  in the housing  40 . A manual release member  60  is provided that includes a handle  61  and a cable slidable within a sheath  62  received by and sized to fit snugly within the connector portion  45   b  of the first rod guide fitting  45 . The cable (not shown) is received by and sized to fit snugly within the axial holes  45   d,    46   c  of the first and second rod guide fittings  45 ,  46  respectively. A safety pin  63  is received within the third radial bore  48   c  in the housing  40  and extends through the second radial hole  41   e  of the striking element  41 . The stopper  43  includes an external thread and is received and threadedly engaged within the axial bore  47  of the housing  40  with the spring  42  captivated between the stopper  43  and the piston head  41   b  of the striking element. The threaded spigot portion  49  is received within and engages the sixth threaded radial bore  15   f  of the body  10 . Thus, the striking element  41  is resiliently urged into the body  10 , but retained or held back by the manual release member  60  and the safety pin  61  which extend through a respective one of the radial holes  41   d,    41   e.    
         [0032]    The thermal valve activation assembly  5  includes a breakable glass bulb  50 , a retainer  51  and an end cap  52 . The bulb  50  contains a substance that expands when heated and that is configured to break or shatter the bulb  50  at a predetermined temperature. The retainer  51  includes a spigot portion  51   a  with a conical recess  51   b  on one of its sides for receiving and retaining a conical end of the bulb  50 . In an assembled condition as shown in  FIG. 1 , the bulb  50  and retainer  51  are received within the activation portion  14   c  of the axial bore  14  of the body  10  and retained therein by the end cap  52 . The bulb  50  is captivated between the conical recess  51   b  of the retainer  51  and the hemispherical recess  26  in the rod portion  24  of the valve member  20 . The window  10   a  is aligned with the captivated bulb  50  and exposes the bulb  50  to the surrounding air to ensure that it shatters in the event of a fire. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve assembly  1  is operatively connected to a pressurised vessel  101  containing a fire retardant material by a threaded connection between the threaded spigot  17  of the body  10  and a threaded hole of the pressurised vessel  101 . The pressure within the vessel  6  urges the piston head  25  of the valve member  20  upward, away from the valve seat  21 , but its movement is prevented by the bulb  50 . It should be noted that the valve  2  seals the passageway  13  by virtue of the O-ring seal  22 , rather than by cooperation between the valve head  25  and the valve seat  21 . 
         [0034]    In use, the valve  2  is opened by breaking the bulb  50 , which can be achieved in one of three ways. First, the remote input device  31  may be actuated, which sends an electrical activation signal through the cable  32  to the percussive charge cartridge  30 , thereby to ignite the explosive charge contained therein, which propels the striking element  33  of the first valve actuation assembly  3  toward the bulb  50 , thereby striking and shattering the bulb  50 . Second, with the safety pin  61  removed, the handle of the manual release member  60  may be pulled, thereby removing the cable (not shown) from the striking element  41  of the second activation assembly  4 , which is then released to be propelled by the spring  42  toward the bulb  50 , thereby striking and shattering the bulb  50 . Third, the bulb  50  may be broken by the environmental temperature reaching the predetermined temperature required for the expandable substance within the bulb  50  to cause it to shatter. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a valve assembly  500  according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein like references (followed by a prime (′)) refer to like features which will not be described herein further. The valve assembly  500  shown in  FIG. 4  differs from the valve assembly  1  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in that the body  10 ′ further comprises plural rebates designed to remove material therefrom. Advantageously, the body  10 ′ of valve assembly  500  requires relatively less material than the body  10  of valve assembly  1 . Consequently, the valve assembly  500  is relatively lighter and may be manufactured at relatively reduced expense. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a fire suppression system  100  installed in a vehicle V, where the fire suppression system comprises a valve assembly  1 . The remote input device  31  is accessible by an occupant of the vehicle V within a seating area S. In embodiments the remote input device  31  may be positioned in any other suitable location. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several variations to the aforementioned embodiments are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the first valve actuation assembly  3  may be powered by any number of alternative means, such as hydraulics, pneumatics or some other electromechanical or electromagnetic arrangement. Similarly, the second valve actuation assembly  4  and the thermal valve activation assembly  5  may each comprise one of any number of arrangements that would be apparent to the skilled person. Moreover, the bulb  50  may be replaced with a different element, such as a severable or movable member or any other suitable arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, the fire suppression system  100  shown in  FIG. 3  may incorporate the valve assembly  500  shown in  FIG. 4 . Additionally or alternatively, the fire suppression system  100  installed in a vehicle V shown in  FIG. 5  may incorporate the valve assembly  500  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0038]    It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.