Patent Description:
Fire suppression nozzles are utilized to deliver fire suppression agent to a cargo hold of an aircraft. The nozzles typically penetrate a wall or ceiling in the cargo hold and have three or four orifices through which the fire suppression agent is distributed. When the suppression agent is introduced into the cargo hold, it exits out of the orifices in a high pressure stream and can accumulate in a localized area, resulting in uneven distribution of the agent from the fire extinguishing vessels. Additionally, debris may travel down pipes connected to the nozzles and plug the nozzle orifices.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for removing smoke and poisonous gas including a nozzle for spraying fluid. <CIT> discloses a sprinkler head for effectively sprinkling lawns without wetting the walks and drives so that a series of sprinkler heads can uniformly cover all of a lawn area.

The present invention provides a fire suppression nozzle as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In general, the present disclosure describes a nozzle for distributing fire suppression agent to a cargo hold of an aircraft, the nozzle having an annular outlet that allows <NUM> degree dispersion of the fire suppression agent. The nozzle also has a flow foil ring with a flat bottom and curved top, or airfoil shape, which accelerates flow of the agent and creates agent lift and suspension, reducing blockage. As a result, the nozzle also entrains ambient air through an annular inlet passage formed by a conical base of the flow deflector and the bottom of the flow foil ring to mix ambient air with the agent, reducing cargo hold over pressure risks and minimizing localized build ups of high agent concentration in the cargo hold.

<FIG> is a front view of fire suppression nozzle <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of fire suppression nozzle <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> will be discussed together. Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> includes body <NUM> (which includes cylindrical portion <NUM>, threaded portion <NUM>, and conical portion <NUM>), mounting flange <NUM>, main channel <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), flow deflector <NUM>, flow foil ring <NUM>, annular inlet passage <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), annular inlet <NUM>, annular outlet passage <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), and annular outlet <NUM>. Flow deflector <NUM> includes top portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), groove <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), annular flange <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), conical base <NUM>. Flow foil ring <NUM> includes top surface <NUM> and bottom surface <NUM>. Conical base <NUM> has sloped portion <NUM> and bottom surface <NUM>. Also shown in <FIG> are holes H, fire suppression agent F and airflow A.

Body <NUM> has cylindrical portion <NUM> with threaded portion <NUM> at a first end of cylindrical portion <NUM> and conical portion <NUM> at a second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>. Conical portion <NUM> slopes away from cylindrical portion <NUM>. Mounting flange <NUM> is connected to cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> between threaded portion <NUM> and conical portion <NUM>. Mounting flange <NUM> is circular with three or four mounting holes H extending through mounting flange <NUM>. In this embodiment, mounting flange <NUM> is the same unitary piece as body <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, mounting flange <NUM> may be a separate piece that is welded, machined, or connected to body <NUM> using any other suitable means. Main channel <NUM> is an annular channel that extends through cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> from the first end of cylindrical portion <NUM> to the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>. Flow deflector <NUM> is connected to the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> with a portion of flow deflector <NUM> being in alignment with main channel <NUM>. Flow deflector <NUM> is connected such that a space exists between the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM>. Flow foil ring <NUM> is positioned adjacent conical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM>. A periphery of flow foil ring <NUM> has a diameter about the same as the diameter of a periphery of conical portion <NUM>. Flow foil ring <NUM> is a ring having an airfoil-shaped cross-section. Flow foil ring <NUM> is connected to flow deflector <NUM> such that annular inlet passage <NUM> is formed between flow deflector <NUM> and flow foil ring <NUM>. Annular inlet <NUM> is at a radially outer end of annular inlet passage <NUM>. Annular outlet passage <NUM> is formed between conical portion <NUM> of body <NUM>, flow deflector <NUM> and flow foil ring <NUM> such that conical portion <NUM> forms a first side of annular outlet passage <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM> and flow foil ring <NUM> form a second side of annular outlet passage <NUM>. Annular outlet <NUM> is at a radially outer end of annular outlet passage <NUM>. Annular outlet <NUM> is formed between conical portion <NUM> and flow foil ring <NUM>. Annular outlet <NUM> extends radially outward further than annular inlet <NUM>. Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> is made from metal, such as <NUM> stainless steel, or any other suitable fire-proof material. In one embodiment, fire suppression nozzle <NUM> is made using additive manufacturing.

Flow deflector <NUM> has top portion <NUM> at a first end or interior end of flow deflector <NUM>. Top portion <NUM> is adjacent cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM>. Top portion <NUM> is in alignment with main channel <NUM>. Top portion <NUM> has a circular top surface. Top portion <NUM> slopes down into groove <NUM>. Groove <NUM> is an annular groove in a side of flow deflector <NUM> adjacent top portion <NUM>. Groove <NUM> is also adjacent annular flange <NUM> such that groove <NUM> is between top portion <NUM> and annular flange <NUM>. Annular flange <NUM> is an annular flange that extends out of the side of flow deflector <NUM>. Annular flange <NUM> extends over a top of a portion of flow foil ring <NUM>. Top portion <NUM>, groove <NUM>, and annular flange <NUM> form a portion of annular outlet passage <NUM>. Conical base <NUM> is at a second end or exterior end of flow deflector <NUM>. Conical base <NUM> extends out of the side of flow deflector <NUM> between annular flange <NUM> and the exterior end of flow deflector <NUM> at an angle sloped away from the side of flow deflector <NUM>. Conical base <NUM> has a flat bottom surface that also makes up the bottom surface of the exterior end of flow deflector <NUM>. A periphery of conical base <NUM> has a smaller diameter than the periphery of conical portion <NUM> and the periphery flow foil ring <NUM>.

Flow foil ring <NUM> has top surface <NUM> at a top of flow foil ring <NUM> and bottom surface <NUM> at a bottom of flow foil ring <NUM>. Top surface <NUM> is curved and bottom surface <NUM> is flat such that flow foil ring <NUM> has an airfoil-shaped cross-section. Top surface <NUM> forms a portion of the second side of annular outlet passage <NUM>. Bottom surface <NUM> forms a first side of annular inlet passage <NUM>.

Conical base <NUM> has sloped portion <NUM> that extends out of the side of flow deflector <NUM> away from the side of flow deflector <NUM>. Sloped portion <NUM> is adjacent bottom surface <NUM>, which is flat and makes up the bottom surface of flow deflector <NUM>. Sloped portion <NUM> forms a second side of annular inlet passage <NUM>.

Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> is mounted to a wall or ceiling of a cargo hold. Conical portion <NUM> fits through an opening in the wall or ceiling of the cargo hold, extending in about <NUM> inch or <NUM> centimeters, and threaded portion <NUM> couples with another threaded portion within the opening. Mounting flange <NUM> is adjacent the wall or ceiling of the cargo hold and marries to the wall or ceiling of the cargo hold. More specifically, fasteners extend through holes in mounting flange <NUM> and into the wall or ceiling such that fire suppression nozzle <NUM> is mounted to the wall or ceiling and prevented from moving.

Fire suppression agent F, which may be Halon or any other suitable fire suppression agent, moves through plumbing within the wall or ceiling and into fire suppression nozzle <NUM> through main channel <NUM>. As fire suppression agent F in main channel <NUM> reaches the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>, fire suppression agent F contacts top portion <NUM> of flow deflector <NUM>. Flow deflector <NUM> deflects fire suppression agent F radially outward. Fire suppression agent F disperses <NUM> degrees around circular top portion <NUM> and flows through annular outlet passage <NUM>. As fire suppression agent F flows through annular outlet passage <NUM>, fire suppression agent moves between a bottom surface of conical portion <NUM> and groove <NUM>, annular flange <NUM>, and top surface <NUM> of flow foil ring <NUM>. Because top surface <NUM> is curved such that flow foil ring <NUM> has an airfoil-shaped cross-section, fire suppression agent F flows at a higher velocity at top surface <NUM> of flow foil ring <NUM>, causing lift or suspension of fire suppression agent F. As the velocity of fire suppression agent F increases, the pressure decreases. As fire suppression agent F reaches annular outlet <NUM>, fire suppression agent F disperses out of fire suppression nozzle <NUM> and into the cargo hold at <NUM> degrees.

Because bottom surface <NUM> of flow foil ring <NUM> is flat and sloped portion <NUM> of conical base <NUM> extends away from flow deflector <NUM> at an angle, annular inlet passage <NUM> has a cross-sectional area that increases moving radially out from flow deflector <NUM> such that annular inlet passage <NUM> has the greatest cross-sectional area at annular inlet <NUM>. Annular inlet passage <NUM> entrains airflow A via a Venturi effect. More specifically, as the cross-sectional area of annular inlet passage <NUM> decreases, the velocity of airflow A within annular inlet passage <NUM> increases, resulting in a pressure drop in annular outlet passage <NUM>. Such a pressure drop draws fire suppression agent F through annular outlet passage <NUM> and out annular outlet <NUM>. The pressure differential between annular inlet passage <NUM> and annular outlet passage <NUM> induces airflow A into and through annular inlet passage <NUM>, as airflow A moves from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure. Airflow A mixes with fire suppression agent F within fire suppression nozzle <NUM> between flow deflector <NUM> and flow foil ring <NUM>. Consequently, fire extinguishing agent F exiting at annular outlet <NUM> is mixed with airflow A and has a turbulent flow pattern.

Annular outlet <NUM> allowing for <NUM> degree dispersion of fire suppression agent F produces greater and more even dispersion of fire suppression agent F. As such, less fire suppression nozzles <NUM> are required in the cargo hold. Additionally, any debris coming down main channel <NUM> will not get lodged in fire suppression nozzle <NUM> or inhibit dispersion of fire suppression agent F. Annular outlet <NUM> does not become plugged by debris or contamination because it extends <NUM> degrees. Furthermore, the lift created in annular outlet passage <NUM> causes any debris or contamination present in fire suppression nozzle <NUM> to be lifted along with fire suppression agent F and transported or cleared from fire suppression nozzle <NUM>, reducing blockage of annular outlet <NUM>. Likewise, the lift or suspension created by flow foil ring <NUM> prevents fire suppression agent from dragging along or experiencing friction with top surface <NUM>. Moreover, because fire suppression nozzle <NUM> can be additively manufactured, it is easier to produce and less expensive.

Flow deflector <NUM> serves to route airflow A and fire suppression agent F. Mixing airflow A with fire suppression agent F dilutes fire suppression agent F, reducing localized build ups of high concentrations of fire suppression agent F. Further, fire suppression agent F is heavier than the ambient air and thus moves down toward a floor or bottom surface of the cargo hold. Aspirating airflow A and mixing airflow A with fire suppression agent F also creates a turbulent airflow pattern around the proximity of fire suppression nozzle <NUM>. The turbulent airflow pattern agitates or stirs airflow A and fire suppression agent F and prevents fire suppression agent F from falling to the floor as quickly. Airflow A can also prevent fire suppression agent F from freezing up on top surface <NUM>. Additionally, a back pressure wave is created by entraining airflow A, which restricts fire suppression agent F from flowing out of fire suppression nozzle <NUM> as quickly. Fire suppression agent F flowing out of fire suppression nozzle <NUM> at a reduced rate assists in equalizing pressure, reducing localized pressure build ups in the cargo hold. As such, mixing airflow A with fire suppression agent F results in a more even and more effective distribution of fire suppression agent F.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of fire suppression nozzle <NUM> showing posts <NUM> and <NUM>. Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> includes body <NUM>, with cylindrical portion <NUM>, flow deflector <NUM>, flow foil ring <NUM>, bottom surface <NUM>, posts <NUM>, and posts <NUM>.

As described in reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, body <NUM> has cylindrical portion <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM> is connected to the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>. Flow foil ring <NUM> is positioned adjacent body <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM> and is connected to flow deflector <NUM>. First ends of posts <NUM> are attached to the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM> and second ends of posts <NUM> are attached to flow deflector <NUM>. Posts <NUM> are very small and do not disrupt <NUM> degree dispersion of fire suppression agent F. Posts <NUM> are rod-shaped. Posts <NUM> may have a cross-section that is circular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. In this embodiment, fire suppression nozzle <NUM> has <NUM> posts <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, fire suppression nozzle <NUM> may have any suitable number of posts <NUM>. First ends of posts <NUM> are attached to bottom surface <NUM> of flow foil ring <NUM> and second ends of posts <NUM> are attached to flow deflector <NUM>. Posts <NUM> are very small. Posts <NUM> are rod-shaped. Posts <NUM> may have a cross-section that is circular, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. In this embodiment, fire suppression nozzle <NUM> has <NUM> posts <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, fire suppression nozzle <NUM> may have any suitable number of posts <NUM>.

Posts <NUM> connect cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM>. Posts <NUM> connect flow foil ring <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM>. Posts <NUM> hold flow deflector <NUM> in place, and posts <NUM> hold flow foil ring <NUM> in place. Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> is one unitary piece that can be additively manufactured.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the fire suppression nozzle <NUM> showing threaded portions <NUM> and <NUM>, which connected flow deflector <NUM> to body <NUM>. Fire suppression nozzle <NUM> includes body <NUM>, with cylindrical portion <NUM>, which has threaded portion <NUM>, flow deflector <NUM>, which has top portion <NUM> and threaded portion <NUM>, and annular outlet <NUM>.

As described in reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, body <NUM> has cylindrical portion <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM> is connected to the second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>. Cylindrical portion <NUM> has threaded portion <NUM> on an internal portion of cylindrical portion <NUM> at a second end of cylindrical portion <NUM>. Flow deflector <NUM> has top portion <NUM> at a first end or interior end of flow deflector <NUM>. A first end of threaded portion <NUM> is connected to top portion <NUM> of flow deflector <NUM> and a second end of threaded portion <NUM> has threads that are configured to mate with threaded portion <NUM>. As such, threaded portion <NUM> and threaded portion <NUM> are connected. Threaded portion <NUM> has a space between the first end of threaded portion <NUM> and the second end of threaded portion <NUM> such that threaded portion <NUM> does not disrupt <NUM> degree dispersion of fire suppression agent F.

Threaded portion <NUM> connects cylindrical portion <NUM> of body <NUM> and flow deflector <NUM>. The mating of threaded portion <NUM> and threaded portion <NUM> can be adjusted to adjust annular outlet <NUM> of fire suppression nozzle <NUM>. Additionally, threaded portion <NUM> and threaded portion <NUM> can be disengaged to remove and replace flow deflector <NUM>.

The fire suppression nozzle of the invention can optionally include, additionally and/or alternatively, any one or more of the following features, configurations and/or additional components:.

An annular outlet formed between the conical portion of the body and the flow foil ring.

An annular inlet formed between the conical base and the flow foil ring.

The body further includes a threaded portion at the first end of the cylindrical portion.

A mounting flange connected to the cylindrical portion of the body.

The fire suppression nozzle is made using additive manufacturing.

The flow foil ring is connected to the flow deflector via a post.

The flow deflector is connected to the body via a post.

The flow deflector further includes a threaded portion and the flow deflector is connected to the body via mating between the threaded portion of the flow deflector and a threaded portion on an internal portion of the cylindrical portion.

The flow deflector includes a groove between the top portion and the annular flange.

The annular outlet is configured to disperse fire suppression agent <NUM> degrees.

The annular inlet passage is configured to entrain ambient air.

The annular outlet passage is configured to increase the velocity of fire suppression agent exiting the fire suppression nozzle at annular outlet.

Claim 1:
A fire suppression nozzle (<NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) including:
a cylindrical portion (<NUM>) having a first end and a second end; and
a conical portion (<NUM>) connected to the second end of the cylindrical portion (<NUM>);
a main channel (<NUM>) extending through the cylindrical portion (<NUM>) for receiving fire suppression agent;
a flow deflector (<NUM>) connected to the body (<NUM>), the flow deflector (<NUM>) including:
a top portion (<NUM>) in alignment with the main channel (<NUM>);
an annular flange (<NUM>) extending out of a side of the flow deflector (<NUM>); and
a conical base (<NUM>) extending out of the side of the flow deflector (<NUM>) at an angle; further comprising:
a flow foil ring (<NUM>) positioned between the flow deflector (<NUM>) and the conical portion (<NUM>) of the body;
wherein the flow foil ring (<NUM>) is connected to the flow deflector (<NUM>); and
wherein the flow foil ring (<NUM>) has an airfoil-shaped cross-section, a curved top surface (<NUM>), and a flat bottom surface (<NUM>);
an annular inlet passage (<NUM>) formed by a sloped portion of the conical base of the flow deflector and the flat bottom surface of the flow foil ring; and
an annular outlet passage (<NUM>) formed by the conical portion of the body, the top portion of the flow deflector, the annular flange of the flow deflector, and the curved top surface of the flow foil ring, wherein the fire suppression agent flows at a higher velocity at the curved top surface of the flow foil ring than at the annular flange of the flow deflector.