Abstract:
In order to ensure fast and reliable fire-extinguishing units in a storage system ( 10 ), a fire-extinguishing unit based on the inertization principle is proposed, in which either homogeneous flooding of the entire storage system ( 10 ) or targeted flooding of risk areas is ensured. To this end, in particular vertically extending quenching gas channels ( 62 ) comprising a plurality of quenching gas outlet openings ( 66 ), each group of quenching gas outlet openings ( 56 ) being associated with a flooding area (F 1  to F 3 ), or a quenching gas distribution line having a plurality of spray nozzles are provided.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a fire-extinguishing unit operating based on the inertization principle and used for a storage system as defined in the preamble to claim  1 , as well as to a fire-extinguishing unit operating based on the inertization principle and used for a storage system as defined in the preamble to claim  17 . 
         [0002]    The method of extinguishing a fire based on the inertization principle has long been known in the technical field. The principle is based on supplying inert gas or a quenching gas consisting of environmental air and an inert gas to a space in which a fire has broken out, thus lowering the oxygen content to below 13% and suffocating the fire due to a lack of oxygen. 
       STATE OF THE TECHNOLOGY 
       [0003]    Owing to a lack of space, storage systems are increasingly used in industry, which take the form of high-bay systems or Paternoster assemblies. A storage system of this type comprises at least one storage area divided into a plurality of individual areas, namely the individual compartments or shelves. The aforementioned fire-extinguishing units operating based on the inertization principle are also used for storage systems of this type. The results, however, are for the most part unsatisfactory because either large amounts of inert gas are required or the time for securely extinguishing a fire is unacceptably high. 
       SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Starting with this premise, it is the object of the present invention to further develop a fire-extinguishing unit of the generic type in such a way that a quick and secure extinguishing of the fire with relatively small amounts of inert gas can be achieved. 
         [0005]    This object is solved with a fire-extinguishing unit having the features as disclosed in claim  1  and/or a fire-extinguishing unit having the features as disclosed in claim  17 . 
         [0006]    The generic-type fire-extinguishing units used so far are provided with a quenching gas distribution system which has quenching gas outlet openings at a few locations inside the storage system. The inside of the storage system is flooded with the aid of these quenching gas outlet openings. However, it has turned out that because of the complex internal geometry of such a storage system, in particular because of the relatively tight sealing of individual areas against each other, it is difficult to achieve a homogeneous gas mixture on the inside of the storage system, so that it is left up to chance whether or not at the location of the fire the oxygen concentration drops to below 13% after just a short time. 
         [0007]    It is therefore proposed according to the invention to arrange the quenching gas outlet openings in such a way in the storage system that these outlets either ensure an essentially simultaneous homogeneous flooding of the complete inside space of the storage system, and/or to arrange the quenching gas openings in such a way that at least some of the quenching gas outlet openings are respectively assigned directly to a partial risk area, such that the flooding of these partial risk areas does not occur randomly but at a targeted location. 
         [0008]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, which is disclosed in claims  1  to  16 , it is the object to produce in the shortest possible time and using the lowest possible amount of inert gas as gas mixture inside the storage system for which the oxygen share is less than 13%. For this, the quenching gas distribution system is provided with at least one substantially vertically extending section that contains several quenching gas outlet openings, vertically offset relative to each other, so that the quenching gas, which essentially flows in horizontally, makes it possible to achieve an essentially simultaneous and homogeneous inertization of the inside space of the storage system. However, since corresponding storage systems are frequently embodied with extreme height, additional means are provided for influencing or adjusting the amount of quenching gas exiting from a quenching gas outlet opening or a group of quenching gas outlet openings, relative to a vertically offset quenching gas outlet opening or a group of quenching gas outlet openings. As a result of these means, an actual homogeneous flooding can be achieved in practically all cases, even for a storage system of extreme height. 
         [0009]    The dependent claims  2  to  16 , as well as the exemplary embodiments described in the following, disclose means for adjusting the amount of quenching gas exiting the individual quenching gas outlet openings or groups of quenching gas outlet openings. 
         [0010]    A second embodiment of the invention discloses the targeted flooding with quenching gas of some partial risk areas, in particular involving motors, electronic control units and the like. 
         [0011]    The two embodiments of the invention are now explained in further detail with the aid of examples, showing in: 
     
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  A schematic representation of a storage system, shown as isometric representation; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  A schematic representation of a first example of a first embodiment of the invention, showing a representation that essentially corresponds to the one in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  The quenching gas channels from  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  A variation of the isometric representation shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  A variation of the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  A second example of the first embodiment of the invention in a sectional representation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  A third example of the first embodiment of the invention, shown as a sectional representation; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  A nozzle tube as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8   a  A section along the plane A-A in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  A section of a nozzle casing tube segment from  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9   a  A section along the plane B-B in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  The nozzle tube and the nozzle casing tube segment shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; in the fully assembled state; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10   a  A section along the plane C-C in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  The representation from  FIG. 10   a , showing different positions for the nozzle casing tube segment, relative to the nozzle tube; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  A fourth example of the first embodiment of the invention in a view from the side; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  A detail from  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  A section along the plane D-D in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  A fourth example of the first embodiment of the invention in a side view 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  A variation of the representation shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  A further variation of the representation shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  A nozzle tube extending inside a hollow profile of a storage system, shown as an isometric view; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  A second example of the invention, in a representation corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  A second example of the second embodiment in a representation corresponding to  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  A basic outline for the storage system shown in  FIG. 19 ; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  A conveying device provided with an inert gas spray nozzle. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic, isometric representation of a storage system  10 . The storage system comprises a transport area  20  and two storage areas  18  that are located adjacent to the transport area. The storage areas  18  are subdivided into a plurality of individual areas  22  in the form of shelves. A fire-extinguishing unit is provided which operates based on the inertization principle. For this, an inert gas line  24  is provided which is connected to an existing inert gas grid or a corresponding tank. A quenching gas distribution system with a quenching gas supply line  28  is provided within the storage system  10 , which can be supplied exclusively with inert gas from the inert gas line  24  or with a mixture of inert gas and environmental air from the inside of the storage system  10 , for which an internal air-return line  25  is provided. In the following, only the term quenching gas is used, regardless of whether it refers to a quenching gas mixture or to pure inert gas. If the storage system is a completely closed system, then an excess pressure opening  76  must be provided. 
         [0038]    With a first embodiment, such as the one described initially with the aid of numerous examples, the goal is to flood the inside of the storage system quickly, at the same time and evenly with quenching gas (which can also be pure inert gas), in particular all individual areas (shelves)  22 . A central shut-off valve  84  is provided in this case, which admits the quenching gas feed line  28  and thus the quenching gas distribution system with quenching gas if a fire alarm issues a corresponding signal. It is clear that several quenching gas feed lines with synchronously operating shut-off valves can also be provided. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows a storage system which is similar to the storage system shown in  FIG. 1  and is provided with a fire-extinguishing unit of the same type as the first example of the first embodiment. The illustrated example is shown with clearance spaces  16 , in this case four, between the individual areas (shelves)  22  and the outside wall. In each of these clearance spaces  16 , three separate quenching gas channels  62  belonging to the quenching gas distribution system extend from the top to the bottom, wherein each of these quenching gas channels  62  comprises a group of quenching gas outlet openings  66  and is connected via a volume-control valve  64  to the quenching gas feed line  28 . The four structural groups, formed with respectively three quenching gas channels, are configured identical and arranged at the same level. The number and position of the quenching gas outlet openings  66  is configured such that at least one quenching gas outlet opening  66  is assigned to each possibly existing individual area. The groups of quenching gas outlet openings  66  are offset vertically, relative to each other, and are assigned to respectively one flooding region F 1  to F 3 , which are arranged vertically one above the other. Each group of quenching gas outlet openings  66  is assigned a flow control valve  64 , so that the amount of quenching gas exiting from a group of quenching gas outlet openings  66  can be adjusted, relative to the vertically offset quenching gas outlet openings  66 , thus ensuring a homogeneous flooding. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  shows a group of quenching gas channels  62  from  FIG. 2 . One can see that the quenching gas essentially exits in horizontal direction. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a different installation situation for the separate channels or tubes  62 , wherein these are located in the clearance spaces on the side of the mounting rails for the shelves. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a variant of the above-described example. Several separate quenching gas channels  62 , namely four channels, are provided in this case as well for each structural component, wherein each quenching gas channel  62  comprises a group of quenching gas outlet openings  66  for the quenching gas. In this case, the vertically offset groups of quenching gas outlet openings are arranged one directly above the other. Each group of quenching gas outlet openings is assigned to a flooding section F 1  to F 4  and each channel  62  is connected via a separate volume control valve  64  to the inert gas line  24 . The individual channels  62  in this case have an approximately L-shaped form (except for the shortest one) and form a compact assembly. The aforementioned statements relating to the adjustability of the quenching gas amounts and the desired number and arrangement of the quenching gas outlet openings are also valid in this case. It can be seen easily that the adjoining flooding sections extend from the floor  13  to the roof  12  of the storage system. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a second example of the first embodiment. Again, there are four flooding sections F 1  to F 4  which are arranged vertically one above the other. Each flooding section F 1  to F 4  is assigned a chamber  94 , wherein the chambers  94  are separated by molded parts  92  which are inserted into a hollow structural part of the storage system  10  and for which the vertical position can be selected. Analog to the first example, several such chamber-type arrangements can be provided in the storage system at different locations. Each chamber has a plurality of quenching gas outlet openings  66  which form a group of quenching outlet openings, as in the first example, and are also assigned to the individual flooding sections F 1  to F 4 . Each chamber  94  is connected by means of a separate, vertically extending quenching gas line  90  via a volume control valve  64  to the quenching gas feed line  28 , so that the basic function corresponds to that of the first example. In particular, the quenching gas outlet openings  66  can be bores or openings in an inside wall of a structural part of the storage system in this case. The chambers  94 , arranged vertically one above the other, together with the quenching gas lines  90  consequently form the quenching gas distribution system. For this example, the quenching gas amounts are also adjusted via the volume control valve  64 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 7 to 11  show a third example of the first embodiment of the invention. In this case, a nozzle tube  46  that is connected to the gas feed line  28  extends essentially vertically over the total height of the storage system  10  ( FIG. 7 ). Arranged on the nozzle tube  46  are four nozzle casing tube segments  48 , which divide the nozzle tube  46  into four flooding sections F 1  to F 4 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 8 to 11 , each nozzle casing tube segment  48  has for each bore  50  in the nozzle tube (first bore) a second bore  52  in the nozzle casing (second bore). Respectively a first and a second bore, arranged one above the other, jointly form a quenching gas outlet bore. As a result of turning and/or vertically displacing a nozzle casing tube segment  48 , relative to the nozzle tube  48  [sic], the effective cross section of respectively one group of quenching gas outlet openings  66  can be changed. The maximum cross section is obtained if the bores  52  of the nozzle casing tube segment  48  come to rest precisely above the bores in the nozzle casing, as shown with  FIG. 10   a . Starting with this, the effective cross section can be gradually reduced to 0, wherein the outflow direction can also be changed through turning and/or displacing. Thus, by turning and/or displacing the individual nozzle casing tube segments  48 , the amount of the quenching gas exiting from a group of quenching gas outlet openings can be adjusted relative to the other groups of quenching gas outlet openings. As a rule, several such nozzle tubes are provided distributed over the storage system, which jointly form the quenching gas distribution system. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 12 to 14  show a variation of the aforementioned, wherein  FIG. 13  represents a detailed view from  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 14 , showing a section along the plane D-D in  FIG. 13 . The nozzle tube  46  in this case is composed of several tube segments  56  which are connected via couplings  56 , arranged vertically one above the other. The couplings  58  are provided with quenching gas outlet openings  66 , so that each coupling  58  is assigned a flooding section. The total cross sections of the individual couplings can differ, so that here too the amount of quenching gas which exits the group of quenching gas outlet openings can be adjusted, relative to the remaining groups of quenching gas openings. 
         [0046]      FIG. 15  shows a different example of the first embodiment of the invention. Several quenching gas outlet openings  66  with different cross sections are arranged here in a vertically extending nozzle tube  46 . In this case, quenching gas can be supplied from both ends of the nozzle tube  46 , so that the amount of quenching gas exiting at the upper quenching gas outlet openings can be adjusted relative to the amount of quenching gas exiting at the lower quenching gas opening. 
         [0047]      FIG. 16  shows a variation of the representation shown in  FIG. 15 . A vertically extending quenching gas hose  70  with perforated walls is provided here, meaning a hose with a large number of quenching gas outlet openings. This quenching gas hose  70  is guided vertically inside a hollow space of the storage system which has a plurality of openings  78  for allowing the quenching gas to pass through. Two quenching gas connections are provided in this case as well, so that the quenching gas amount exiting in an upper region can be adjusted relative to the quenching gas amount exiting in a lower region. 
         [0048]      FIG. 17  shows the features of  FIG. 16  with a braided, gas-permeable metal hose. For the example shown herein, the volume control valve  64  is embodied such that the arriving gas flow can be divided into two partial gas flows. 
         [0049]      FIG. 18  shows how a nozzle tube  46  or a quenching gas hose of the type as described in the above can be installed in a hollow profile  60  of a storage system. It is thus obvious that existing systems can also be retrofitted easily with nozzle tubes/distribution lines of this type. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 19 to 22  show a storage system with a fire-extinguishing unit according to a second embodiment of the invention. In this case, several spray nozzles  114  are connected to a quenching gas distribution line  116  and are respectively assigned directly to a risk area. The quenching gas distribution line  116  is preferably supplied with pure inert gas. The aforementioned risk areas in particular can refer to the drive motors. At least one spray nozzle  114  is connected via a flexible quenching gas line  100  to the quenching gas distribution line  116  and is attached to the conveying device  102  that is located in the transport region  20 . 
         [0051]    In a first example, shown in  FIG. 19 , the quenching gas distribution line  116  is permanently subjected to pressure and each spray nozzle is provided with a mechanical thermo element which closes off the spray nozzle under normal environmental temperature conditions. This thermo element can be embodied as a small glass cask, such as is known from traditional sprinklers. Once the environmental temperature around a spray nozzle exceeds a specified value, the thermo element reacts (the small glass casket bursts), the nozzle opening is released and the associated risk area is flooded with inert gas. 
         [0052]    In a second embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , a central fire sensor is provided at the roof  12  of the storage system, and decentralized fire sensors  112  are provided which are assigned to the risk areas. The quenching gas distribution  116  has no pressure in the idle state. Once a fire is detected by one of the fire sensors, a central shut-off valve  84  is opened which puts the complete, previously non-pressurized, quenching gas distribution line  116  under pressure, so that upon the detection of a fire all risk areas are flooded simultaneously. The spray nozzles  114  in this case are always open, meaning they are only quenching gas outlet openings. 
         [0053]      FIG. 21  shows the basic outline of a storage system according to  FIG. 19 . 
         [0054]    It follows from  FIGS. 19 and 20  and is again shown in  FIG. 22  that it may be advantageous to assign a spray nozzle  114  to the conveying device  102 , which nozzle is connected via a flexible quenching gas line  100  to the quenching gas distribution line  116 . 
         [0055]    It is possible and in many cases also makes sense to combine the first and the second embodiments of the invention. 
       REFERENCE NUMBER LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  storage system 
           12  roof of the storage system 
           13  floor of the storage system 
           14  hollow profile 
           16  clearance space 
           18  storage area 
           20  transport area 
           22  individual areas (shelves) 
           24  inert gas line 
           25  inside air return line 
           28  quenching gas feed line 
           46  nozzle tube 
           48  nozzle casing tube segment 
           50  bore in the nozzle tube 
           52  bore in the nozzle casing 
           54  quenching gas distribution line 
           56  tube segment 
           58  coupling 
           60  hollow profile 
           62  quenching gas channels 
           64  volume control valve 
           66  quenching gas outlet opening 
           70  quenching gas hose 
           76  excess pressure opening 
           78  opening 
           84  shut-off valve 
           90  quenching gas line 
           92  molded part 
           94  chamber 
           100  flexible quenching gas line 
           102  conveying device 
           110  excess pressure opening 
           112  fire sensor 
           114  spray nozzle 
           116  quenching gas distribution line