Patent Description:
Fire suppression systems for industrial and commercial applications may include mechanical fire detection lines, which may include sensors to detect fires. The mechanical fire detection lines further include one or more tensioned lines that couple the sensors together. Once a fire is detected by any sensor, the sensor breaks, and the tensioned lines that were previously held under tension are now lax. This loss in tension may be used as a control signal to activate a control panel to deploy countermeasures to limit the fire. There is, therefore, a need for a means to monitor the tension in the tensioned lines of the mechanical fire detection line. <CIT> describes a device for a lifeline, the device comprising a main body having a first portion and a second portion, opposed to the first one; a first secondary body coupled to said main body by placing therebetween a spring system and intended to be hooked to an element of the lifeline on the side of the first portion; a second secondary body bound to the main body and intended to be hooked to an additional element of the lifeline on the side of the second portion; wherein the spring system, when subjected to a force of <NUM> kN, has a total length differing from the total length thereof without applied forces of at least <NUM>. <CIT> describes a tensioning device for cable, strap and/or chain systems, the device having two connector heads for attaching to the system, and with at least one screw tensioner for changing the distance between the connector heads. The screw tensioner comprises an internally threaded sleeve engaging with a threaded spindle, these two parts being partly enclosed in a housing. The screw tensioner incorporates a spring resiliently resisting extension of the device. Preferably the spring thrusts against a thrust plate fixed to the screw tensioner. The thrust plate is arranged e.g. studs and slots so that it cannot rotate relative to the housing, but can move up and down, in directions parallel to the axis of the threaded spindle. <CIT> describes a tension turnbuckle which comprises first and second bolts having connectors integral therewith, a preloaded spring arranged about the inner end of said second bolt, a turnbuckle housing threaded onto said first bolt for movement thereon and fixed to the outer end of said preloaded spring, an indicator fixed to the inner end of said second bolt and cooperating with a viewing slot within the turnbuckle housing to permit ascertation of the tension of the turnbuckle, and a housing cap arranged to be screwed onto the turnbuckle housing after the proper tension is achieved to lock out the spring and provide a solid metal load path through the turnbuckle from the first bolt to the second bolt. <CIT> describes systems and methods for remote monitoring of mechanical fire suppression systems. For example, some embodiments generally provide for a smart fire suppression system with integrated sensors and communication technology to monitor the current state of the fire suppression system and notify various monitoring platforms, service providers, equipment manufacturers and/or others of the current state. In some embodiments, various sensors (e.g., micro switches) can be used to detect and report the status of the cartridge, activation status of the system, and/or the status of the detection line. Additional sensors and actuators may be also be included within the smart fire suppression system to allow monitoring of different states (e.g., temperature) and control the appliance and/or building utilities. <CIT> describes systems and methods for remote monitoring of mechanical fire suppression systems. For example, some embodiments generally provide for a smart fire suppression system with integrated sensors and communication technology to monitor the current state of the fire suppression system and notify various monitoring platforms, service providers, equipment manufacturers and/or others of the current state. In some embodiments, various sensors (e.g., micro switches) can be used to detect and report the status of the cartridge, activation status of the system, and/or the status of the detection line. Additional sensors and actuators may be also be included within the smart fire suppression system to allow monitoring of different states (e.g., temperature) and control the appliance and/or building utilities.

The claimed invention is defined by a fire suppression system according to appended claim <NUM>.

The invention provides a fire suppression system including a tension indicating device for a mechanical fire detection line. The tension indicating device includes a body including first and second ends. At least one of the first and second ends is configured to be operatively coupled to a tensioned line of a mechanical fire detection line of a fire suppression system. The tension indicating device further includes a piston configured to be slidably disposed along a length of the body. The piston includes a piston head and a connecting rod. A free end of the connecting rod extends towards the at least one of the first and second ends. Further, the free end is configured to be coupled to the tensioned line of the mechanical fire detection line. The piston head is provided with a movable indicator. Responsive to the tensioned line being provided with tension, the piston moves towards the at least one of the first and second ends of the body, thereby causing the movable indicator to correspondingly move along the length of the body of the tension indicating device to indicate a tension in the tensioned line of the fire suppression system. Furthermore, in a deployed state of the mechanical fire detection line, the movable indicator is located such that the tension indicating device indicates that the tensioned line is correctly tensioned.

The tension indicating device further includes a reference indicator provided on the body of the tension indicating device. The reference indicator is located, such that when the movable indicator is in alignment with the reference indicator, the tension indicating device indicates that the tensioned line is correctly tensioned.

Optionally, when the movable indicator is not in alignment with the reference indicator, the tension indicating device indicates that the tensioned line is improperly tensioned.

Optionally, the tension indicating device indicates that the tensioned line is having one of excessive tension and inadequate tension based on location of the movable indicator with respect to the reference indicator.

Optionally, the tension indicating device further includes a compressible element configured to be disposed between the piston head and the first end of the body. Responsive to the tensioned line being provided with tension, the piston moves towards the second end of the body, thereby causing the compressible element to extend.

Optionally, the tension indicating device further includes a compressible element configured to be disposed between the piston head and the second end of the body.

Responsive to the tensioned line being provided with tension, the piston moves towards the second end of the body, thereby causing the compressible element to compress.

Optionally, the compressible element in a helical spring.

Optionally, the tension indicating device further includes a window provided on the body to allow visual inspection of location of the movable indicator.

In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

In the drawings, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the subject disclosure, the components of this invention. described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as "above," "below," "upper," "lower," "first", "second" or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components.

Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary schematic view of a fire suppression system <NUM> is shown. The fire suppression system <NUM> may be used in industrial and commercial applications. In the illustrated view of <FIG>, the fire suppression system <NUM> is one used in a commercial cooking application <NUM>. The fire suppression system <NUM> includes a mechanical fire detection line <NUM> disposed within a hood <NUM> of the commercial cooking application <NUM>. The mechanical fire detection line <NUM> includes one or more sensors <NUM> that are linked together via a tensioned line <NUM>. When a fire may break out, the heat of the fire may cause one or more sensors <NUM> to break, thereby causing a drop in a tension of the tensioned line <NUM>. This decrease in the tension of the tensioned line <NUM> may be used as a control signal to operate a control box <NUM>. The control box <NUM> may then deploy countermeasures to suppress the fire that broke out. The countermeasures may include dispensing a fire suppression agent that is stored in a cannister <NUM>.

In order for the fire suppression system <NUM> to adequately function, it is important that the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> be of a correct value. Correct value of tension is defined as a range of tension values that allow one or more sensors <NUM> to be held intact in the absence of fire and allow a suitable change in tension to be experienced on breakage of any one or more sensors <NUM> in order to provide a control signal. Specifically, the correct value of tension may be defined to include a range of values where the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> is high enough that, upon breakage of the one or more sensors <NUM>, the tensioned line <NUM> separates to provide the control signal to the control box <NUM>. Further, the correct value of tension may include a range of values where the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> is not so high that the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> causes the one or more sensors <NUM> to break in the absence of fire.

In some embodiments, the correct value of tension may be dependent on application attributes of the fire suppression system <NUM>. Some examples of application attributes may include a maximum temperature allowable in an environment where the fire suppression system <NUM> may be deployed, a required sensitivity of the fire suppression system <NUM>, etc. In some examples, the correct value of tension may also be set by a manufacturer or a user of the fire suppression system <NUM>.

To indicate tension in the tensioned line <NUM>, the mechanical fire detection line <NUM> includes a tension indicating device <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary schematic view of the fire suppression system <NUM> is shown, along with the tension indicating device <NUM>. The tension indicating device <NUM> may be arranged in the mechanical fire detection line <NUM>, in line with the one or more sensors <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show exemplary schematic views of the tension indicating device <NUM> indicating improper tensioning, and correct tensioning, respectively. The tension indicating device <NUM> includes a body <NUM> including first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. The first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be operatively coupled to any one of the one or more sensors <NUM> (not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) via tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. According to the invention, the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to be directly, or indirectly coupled to the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The first and second protrusions <NUM>, <NUM> may be configured to couple the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively with the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> may be directly coupled to the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, any one of the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> may be linked to a rigid structure, such as a wall of the commercial cooking application <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The tension indicating device <NUM> further includes a reference indicator <NUM>. The reference indicator <NUM> may be a mark or a notch that may be visually accessible for inspection. The reference indicator <NUM> may be provided on a window on the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>.

The tension indicating device <NUM> further includes a piston <NUM> comprising a connecting rod <NUM> coupled to a piston head <NUM>. The piston <NUM> is disposed within the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM> and is adapted to slide along a length of the tension indicating device <NUM>. The connecting rod <NUM> includes a free end <NUM> that extends outside of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. The free end <NUM> of the connecting rod <NUM> is adapted to be coupled to one of the tensioned lined <NUM>, <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the free end <NUM> of the connecting rod <NUM> is coupled to the tensioned line <NUM>. The tension indicating device <NUM> further includes a compressible element <NUM> disposed within the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM> and arranged between the piston head <NUM> and any one of the first and second ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the compressible element <NUM> is arranged between the piston head <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. The compressible element <NUM> is arranged such that, as the piston head <NUM> moves towards the second end <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>, the compressible element <NUM> is compressed and thereby, offers a resistance to motion of the piston head <NUM>. The resistance offered by the compressible element <NUM> as it is compressed provides a tension to the connected tensioned line <NUM> in a direction opposite to a direction of compression of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> may be increased with increased compression of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> may be increased with increased stiffness of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the compressible element <NUM> includes a helical spring.

The tension indicating device <NUM> further includes a movable indicator <NUM> provided on the piston head <NUM> of the piston <NUM>. As the piston head <NUM> slides along the length of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>, the movable indicator <NUM> correspondingly moves along the length of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. When the movable indicator <NUM> aligns with the reference indicator <NUM>, the tension indicating device <NUM> indicates that the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> is correct. The position of the reference indicator <NUM> may be configured according to application requirements. For example, the reference indicator <NUM> may be in different positions depending on the dimensions of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>, the nature and stiffness of the compressible element <NUM>, and the tension that may be considered correct for a mechanical fire detection line.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tension indicating device <NUM> is shown to indicate an improper tensioning of the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. In such a state, the reference indicator <NUM> and the movable indicator <NUM> are not aligned, indicating that that the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> are outside of optimal values. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the position of the movable indicator <NUM> may indicate that the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> are below the optimum value.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tension indicating device <NUM> is shown to indicate a correct tensioning of the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. As the tensioned line <NUM> is tensioned, i.e., as a pulling force is applied to the tensioned line <NUM>, the tensioned line <NUM>, in turn, forces the piston <NUM> to move towards the second end <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. The pulling force may be applied to the tensioned line <NUM> until the piston <NUM> is moved to a point, such that the movable indicator <NUM> on the piston head <NUM> aligns with the reference indicator <NUM> on the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>. Such a condition indicates that the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> are correctly tensioned to operate in the fire suppression system <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show exemplary schematic views of a tension indicating device <NUM> indicating improper tensioning, and correct tensioning, respectively. The tension indicating device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be substantially similar to the tension indicating device <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>. Hence, common components between the tension indicating device <NUM> and the tension indicating device <NUM> are referenced by the same numeral references. However, the tension indicating device <NUM> includes a compressible element <NUM> disposed within the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM> and arranged between the piston head <NUM> and the first end <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>.

The compressible element <NUM> is arranged such that, as the piston head <NUM> moves towards the second end <NUM> of the body <NUM> of the tension indicating device <NUM>, the compressible element <NUM> is extended, and thereby offers a resistance to motion of the piston head <NUM>. The resistance offered by the compressible element <NUM> as it is extended state provides a tension to the connected tensioned line <NUM> in a direction same as a direction of extension of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> may be increased with increased extension of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the tension in the tensioned line <NUM> may be increased with increased stiffness of the compressible element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the compressible element <NUM> includes a helical spring.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tension indicating device <NUM> is shown to indicate an improper tensioning of the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. In such a state, the reference indicator <NUM> and the movable indicator <NUM> are not aligned, indicating that that the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> are outside of the optimal values. In the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the position of the movable indicator <NUM> may indicate that the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> is greater than the optimum value.

Referring now to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tension indicating device <NUM> is shown to indicate a correct tensioning of the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM>. Such a condition indicates that the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> are correctly tensioned to operate in the fire suppression system <NUM>.

Thus, the tension indicating device <NUM>, <NUM> may be used to accurately tension the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> of the mechanical fire detection line in order to allow the fire suppression system to optimally function. Further, the tension in the tensioned lines <NUM>, <NUM> may be periodically monitored using the window to view the relative locations of the reference indicator <NUM> and the movable indicator <NUM>.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A fire suppression system (<NUM>) comprising:
a mechanical fire detection line (<NUM>), wherein the mechanical fire detection line (<NUM>) includes a tensioned line (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) and one or more sensors (<NUM>) that are linked together via the tensioned line (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a tension indicating device (<NUM>; <NUM>), the tension indicating device (<NUM>; <NUM>) comprising:
a body (<NUM>) comprising a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>), at least one of the first and second ends configured to be operatively coupled to the tensioned line (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) of the mechanical fire detection line; and
a piston (<NUM>) configured to be slidably disposed along a length of the body (<NUM>), the piston comprising a piston head (<NUM>) and a connecting rod (<NUM>), wherein a free end (<NUM>) of the connecting rod extends towards the at least one of the first and second ends, wherein the free end (<NUM>) is configured to be coupled to the tensioned line (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) of the mechanical fire detection line, and wherein the piston head (<NUM>) is provided with a movable indicator (<NUM>),
wherein responsive to the tensioned line being provided with tension, the piston moves (<NUM>) towards the at least one of the first and second ends of the body, thereby causing the movable indicator (<NUM>) to correspondingly move along the length of the body (<NUM>) of the tension indicating device (<NUM>; <NUM>) to indicate a tension in the tensioned line of the fire suppression system, and
wherein the tension indicating device further comprises a reference indicator (<NUM>) provided on the body (<NUM>) of the tension indicating device (<NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the reference indicator is located, such that when the movable indicator (<NUM>) is in alignment with the reference indicator (<NUM>), the tension indicating device (<NUM>; <NUM>) indicates that the tensioned line (<NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) is correctly tensioned, wherein a correct value of tension is a range of tension values that allow the one or more sensors (<NUM>) to be held intact in the absence of fire and allow a suitable change in tension to be experienced on breakage of any of the one or more sensors (<NUM>) in order to provide a control signal.