Patent Description:
To ensure that the fire suppression system is ready to discharge the fire suppression agent in the event of a fire, standards bodies such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) require testing and inspection of the fire suppression system semi-annually for commercial kitchens. To be prepared for the next test or potential fire, the disposable cartridges in the system need to be replaced following each discharge, as the disposable cartridges can only be used for one actuation. A current limitation of many fire suppression systems is the inability to visually inspect whether the disposable cartridge within the fire suppression system has been discharged and needs to be replaced.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a cartridge replacement aid that provides a visual indication as to whether the disposable cartridge within the fire suppression system is fully pressurized or has been discharged and needs to be replaced.

<CIT> discloses a fire suppression system including a tank, a cartridge, an actuator selectively coupled to the cartridge, and a cartridge monitoring system coupled to the actuator.

<CIT> discloses a smart fire suppression system with integrated sensors and communication technology to monitor the state of the system.

<CIT> discloses a fire extinguisher with an indicator to indicate a discharge of the fire extinguisher.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a fire suppression system is provided, which includes a cartridge for holding a pressurized gas, the cartridge operatively connected to a valve; a cam for engaging a piercing pin, the piercing pin configured to release the pressurized gas when engaged; and a cartridge replacement aid configured between the cartridge and the cam. The cartridge replacement aid includes an aperture configured to allow the cartridge to pass through the cartridge replacement aid and connect to the valve; and a protrusion configured to perpendicularly extend from the cartridge replacement aid. The protrusion in combination with a projection of the cam is configured to prevent the cam from being reset.

The cartridge replacement aid may be configured to fit over at least a portion the valve.

The cartridge replacement aid may be configured within a control box, the control box including a window configured to allow the cartridge replacement aid to be visually inspected.

The cartridge replacement aid may further include a collar configured to perpendicularly extend from the cartridge replacement aid circumferentially around the aperture.

The collar may be configured to prevent the cam from being reset without removing the cartridge replacement aid.

An aperture diameter of the cartridge replacement aid may be smaller relative to a cartridge diameter.

The aperture diameter may prevent the removal of the cartridge replacement aid without removing the cartridge.

The cartridge replacement aid may be produced using an injection molding process.

The cartridge replacement aid may be produced using a three-dimensional (3D) printing process.

The fire suppression system may further include a cylinder for holding a fire suppression agent.

The fire suppression agent may include at least one of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, and monoammonium phosphate.

The cartridge replacement aid may be configured to fit over at least a portion of a valve of a fire suppression system.

The following descriptions of the drawings are by way of example only and should not be considered limiting in any way.

Visually inspecting whether a disposable cartridge has been discharged and is in need of replacement can be difficult. For example, it may be difficult to know whether a disposable cartridge within a pressurized gas triggering device has been discharged and is in need of replacement without removing the cartridge from an operational position (e.g., to inspect a breakable seal on the cartridge indicating usage). To provide a visual indication as to whether a disposable cartridge, for example, within a pressurized gas triggering device, has been discharged without removing the disposable cartridge from an operational position, a cartridge replacement aid is provided. It is envisioned that the cartridge replacement aid may be used for any pressurized gas triggering device. A pressurized gas triggering device may include any device which uses a disposable cartridge. An example of a pressurized gas triggering device can include the actuation mechanism of a fire suppression system. Although the cartridge replacement aid is capable of being used within any pressurized gas triggering device, for purposes of clarity and brevity, the cartridge replacement aid has only been depicted within a fire suppression system.

Fire suppression systems can be actuated by discharging a disposable cartridge. The fire suppression system may, in certain instances, use the disposable cartridge to force open the valve(s) of the cylinder(s) holding the fire suppression agent so that the fire suppression agent can be discharged through the piping system and out of the nozzles to extinguish a detected fire risk. To ensure that the disposable cartridge is ready and able to actuate the fire suppression system the disposable cartridge should be replaced following each actuation. To help ensure the cartridge is replaced, a cartridge replacement aid is provided. The cartridge replacement aid, in certain instances, helps to ensure that the disposable cartridge is replaced by providing a visual indication that the fire suppression system has been previously actuated and/or physically preventing the reset of the discharged fire suppression system without removing the cartridge.

As explained previously, to actuate a fire suppression system the disposable cartridge can be discharged to release fire suppression agent. The disposable cartridge within the system can, in certain instances, be either manually, via a pull station, mechanically, via fusible links and cables, or electrically, via a control panel, discharged. To discharge the disposable cartridge a breakable seal of the cartridge can be punctured or otherwise mechanically broken to release pressurized gas (e.g. carbon dioxide). In some exemplary systems a piercing pin may be used to puncture the breakable seal of the cartridge and release the pressurized gas. In a further example of an exemplary system, the piercing pin may, in certain instances, be engaged by the rotation of a cam. The pressurized gas, once released from within the cartridge, can be used to pressurize a mechanism which opens the valve(s) to discharge the fire suppression agent.

The fire suppression system is designed to be reset following each discharge event. The resetting of the fire suppression system may contain multiple steps, including, but not limited to: replacing or refilling the cylinder(s) holding the fire suppression agent; purging and/or cleaning the fire suppression piping circuit(s) (e.g., including the discharge nozzles), resetting the mechanism that opens the valve(s); resetting the piercing pin in a ready-to-engage position, which may include rotating a cam; moving (e.g. sliding or rotating) the piercing pin against a spring force which is release by a discharging device (e.g. fusible link, pull station, and the like); and replacing the disposable cartridge with a full cartridge, which contains enough pressurized gas to pressurize the mechanism which opens the valve(s) to discharge the fire suppression agent.

For the fire suppression agent to be able to discharge, the disposable cartridge needs to contain enough pressurized gas to cause the valve(s) to open. As such, one of the most critical aspects of resetting of the fire suppression system can be the replacement of the disposable cartridge. Without replacing the disposable cartridge, the fire suppression agent cannot be discharged. This is because a discharged cartridge will not have enough pressurized gas to pressurize the mechanism which opens the valve(s) of the cylinders holding the fire suppression agent. Although the cartridge replacement aid is described in terms of being used with disposable cartridges, the cartridge replacement aid may, in certain instances, be used with refillable cartridges.

In conjunction with what is described below, the cartridge replacement aid, in certain instances, can help to ensure replacement of the disposable cartridge following each discharge by providing a visual indication that actuation has occurred, and/or by preventing the cam from being reset following actuation without first removing the cartridge replacement aid. Regardless of the configuration of the cartridge replacement aid, the cartridge replacement aid helps to ensure the cartridge is removed and replaced by requiring the removal of the cartridge replacement aid following actuation of the fire suppression system. To remove the cartridge replacement aid, in certain instances, the cartridge must first be removed. By requiring the cartridge to be removed first the cartridge will presumably be replaced by the individual removing the cartridge, as the individual will be able see that the cartridge is empty upon removal.

Fire suppression systems for many types of applications, especially industrial and commercial applications, use disposable pressurized gas cartridges. With reference now to the Figures, an exemplary fire suppression system <NUM> used in a commercial cooking application is schematically shown in <FIG>, which incorporates a cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, within the control box <NUM>. The control box <NUM>, in certain instances, includes a window <NUM> to allow the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> to be visually inspected within the control box <NUM>. In certain instances, the control box <NUM> may be able to be opened using a door (not shown) to allow the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> to be visually inspected within the control box <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, within the control box <NUM> the exemplary fire suppression system <NUM> includes a cartridge <NUM> for holding a pressurized gas, the cartridge <NUM> operatively connected to a valve <NUM>. The fire suppression system <NUM> also includes a cam <NUM> for engaging a piercing pin <NUM>, the piercing pin <NUM> configured to release the pressurized gas from within the cartridge <NUM> when engaged. The cam <NUM>, when rotating, may cause the piercing pin <NUM> move toward the cartridge <NUM>. In certain instances, the piercing pin <NUM> moves toward the cartridge <NUM> due to the shape of the cam <NUM>, for example, an oval shape of the cam <NUM> may push the piercing pin <NUM> as the cam <NUM> rotates. In certain instances, the piercing pin <NUM> moves toward the cartridge <NUM> due to a connecting member (not shown) connected to the piercing pin <NUM> and the cam <NUM>; for example, the connecting member may cause the piercing pin <NUM> to move towards the cartridge <NUM> as the cam <NUM> rotates. The connecting member may, in certain instances, be a spring, cantilever, or any suitable mechanism to cause the piercing pin <NUM> to move toward the cartridge <NUM>.

The cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is configured between the cartridge <NUM> and the cam <NUM>. The cartridge replacement aid <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, configured to allow the cartridge <NUM> to pass through the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> and connect to the valve <NUM>. The cartridge replacement aid <NUM> also includes a protrusion <NUM>, shown in <FIG>, configured to perpendicularly extend from the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>.

In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is configured to fit over at least a portion of the valve <NUM>. Fitting over at least a portion of the valve <NUM>, in certain instances, means that at least a portion of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is in contact with the surface of the valve <NUM>. The cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, is configured to fit over at least a portion of the valve <NUM>, and is not removable without first removing the cartridge <NUM>. In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is replaced when the cartridge <NUM> is replaced.

As shown in <FIG>, the cam <NUM> includes a projection <NUM>. The cam <NUM> with the projection <NUM>, in certain instances, is formed as one unified component. The projection <NUM>, in certain instances, is formed separately from the cam <NUM> and is connected to the cam, for example, the projection <NUM> may be adhered to the cam <NUM>. The projection <NUM>, in certain instances, is configured to break the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> when the cam <NUM> engages the piercing pin <NUM>. For example, the breaking of the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> by the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM>, in certain instances, is achievable due to the amount of force created by the rotation of the cam <NUM> (shown in the Figures as counter-clockwise). To allow for the protrusion <NUM> to break, the protrusion <NUM> may, in certain instances, be configured out of a brittle material. The rotation of the cam <NUM> may, in certain instances, be created by a coil (not shown) or coil-like mechanism connected to the cam <NUM>. Although described herein that the cam <NUM> rotates counter-clockwise during actuation, and is reset in a clockwise manner, it is envisioned that the cam <NUM>, in certain instances, could be configured to rotate clockwise during actuation, and reset in a counter-clockwise manner. It is envisioned that projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> may be configured to break the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, regardless of the specific movement of the cam <NUM>, for example, regardless of whether the cam <NUM> rotates or whether the cam <NUM> engages the piercing pin <NUM> by sliding.

In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> indicates, by a broken protrusion <NUM>, that the cartridge <NUM> has not been replaced following actuation. An unbroken protrusion <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. A broken protrusion <NUM>, in certain instances, means that at least a portion of the protrusion <NUM> has been either bent or severed from the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. The broken protrusion <NUM>, in certain instances, is viewable through the window <NUM> in the control box <NUM>, or through opening a door (not shown) in the control box <NUM>. An individual, by observing a broken protrusion <NUM>, may be alerted that the fire suppression system <NUM> was actuated and the cartridge <NUM> has not yet been replaced. In some instances the cam <NUM> may include an additional visual indicator (not shown), such as colors (for example, red and green, although other colors may be used) or writing, that may be viewable through the window <NUM> in the control box <NUM> and/or may be aligned with the protrusion <NUM> or another marking on the cam <NUM>, such that when the cam <NUM> moves during discharge the additional visual indicator provides a secondary visual indication that the cam <NUM> has not been reset following discharge of the fire suppression system <NUM>. As described below, in certain embodiments the cam <NUM> may not be reset until the cartridge <NUM> is removed and/or the cartridge aid <NUM> is repaired or replaced.

The cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, by providing for the protrusion <NUM> to break, acts as a visual indicator that the cartridge <NUM> needs to be replaced. Once the protrusion <NUM> is broken, in certain instances, the entire cartridge replacement aid <NUM> should be removed and replaced with a new cartridge replacement aid <NUM> with an unbroken protrusion <NUM>. To remove the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, the cartridge <NUM> must first be removed. By requiring of the removal of the cartridge <NUM> prior to removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, helps to ensure that the cartridge <NUM> is replaced following actuation.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is configured to prevent the reset of the cam <NUM> without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. Preventing the cam <NUM> from being reset, in certain instances, is completed using a ratchet-like mechanism, meaning that the configuration and relative position of the various components allows for the movement in one direction, but prevents the movement in the opposite direction. For example, in certain instances, the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> operates in a ratchet-like manner with the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, where the projection <NUM> of the cam is configured to rotate past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. Once past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, the relative position and configuration of the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> prevents the cam <NUM> from being reset (i.e. rotated in the opposite direction) without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>.

A ratchet may include a pawl and a tooth. The pawl functions as a spring-loaded flexible member when the ratchet is rotated in one direction and as a fixed member when the ratchet is attempted to be rotated in the opposite direction. The tooth functions as a fixed member regardless of which direction the ratchet is rotated. The pawl is designed to bias, or "spring", back to its original shape once the pawl passes the tooth. In certain instances, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> acts as a spring-loaded pawl of a ratchet, and the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> acts as a tooth of a ratchet. The projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM>, when configured in this manner, may, when the fire suppression system <NUM> is actuated, rotate past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> due to the force created by the rotation (e.g. counter-clockwise) of the cam <NUM>. When rotating, the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM>, in certain instances, flexes away from the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> due to the shear force created by the rotation of the cam <NUM>, and biases, or "springs", back to its original shape once past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. Once actuated, in certain instances, the cam <NUM> cannot be reset without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> because the projection <NUM> is incapable of flexing away from the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> when attempted to be reset, due to the configuration (e.g. shape) and relative position of the projection <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM>.

In certain instances, as shown in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> acts as a spring-loaded pawl of a ratchet, and the projection of the cam <NUM> acts as a tooth of a ratchet. The projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM>, when configured in this manner, may, when the fire suppression system <NUM> is actuated, rotate past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> due to the force created by the rotation (e.g. counter-clockwise) of the cam <NUM>. When rotating, the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, flexes away from the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> due to the shear force created by the rotation of the cam <NUM>, and biases, or "springs", back to its original shape once past the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM>. Once actuated, in certain instances, the cam <NUM> cannot be reset without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> because the protrusion <NUM> is incapable of flexing away from the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> when attempted to be reset, due to the configuration (e.g. shape) and relative position of the projection <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM>.

Regardless of which component acts as the pawl or tooth of the ratchet, in certain instances, once the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> rotates past the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, the projection <NUM> of the cam <NUM> in combination with the protrusion <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> prevents the cam <NUM> from being reset without first removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> due to the configuration and the relative position of the projection <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM>. For example, the respective shape and relative position of the protrusion <NUM> and projection <NUM> may allow for flexing when the cam <NUM> is rotated in one direction, but prevent flexing when the cam <NUM> is attempted to be rotated in the opposite direction. This may be due, at least in part, to the component, which acts as the pawl of a ratchet, biasing, or "springing", back to its original shape once past the component, which acts as the tooth of a ratchet.

To remove the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, the cartridge <NUM> should be removed prior to removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. To ensure that the cartridge <NUM> is removed prior to the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, an aperture diameter <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is configured to be smaller relative to a cartridge diameter <NUM>. By configuring the aperture diameter <NUM> smaller than the cartridge diameter <NUM>, the cartridge <NUM>, in certain instances, cannot pass through the aperture <NUM> of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>. As such, to allow the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> to be removed and replaced, in certain instances, the cartridge <NUM> must be removed first. By requiring the cartridge <NUM> to be removed first, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> helps to ensure that the cartridge <NUM> is replaced following actuation.

As shown in <FIG>, to further ensure that the cam <NUM> isn't reset without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>, in certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> further includes a collar <NUM>. The collar <NUM> may be configured to perpendicularly extend from the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> circumferentially around the aperture <NUM>. The collar <NUM>, in certain instances, helps to prevent the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> from being slid up the cartridge <NUM> away from the valve <NUM>. By preventing the sliding of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> up the cartridge <NUM> away from the valve <NUM> and the cam <NUM>, the collar <NUM> may help prevent the resetting of the cam without removing the cartridge replacement aid <NUM>.

It is envisioned that the design and configuration of the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> helps to ensure that the cartridge <NUM> is replaced following actuation. Regardless of whether the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is designed to be replaced after each use or is designed for multiple uses, in certain instances the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> may be designed in a cost effective manner. In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is produced using an injection molding process. In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is produced using a three-dimensional (3D) printing process. In certain instances, the projection <NUM> may be replaced following actuation on-site at the installed fire suppression system using a 3D printing process. In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is manufactured out of a plastic. In certain instances, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is manufactured out of a metal, for example, sheet metal.

The cartridge replacement aid <NUM> is designed and configured to help ensure that the cartridge <NUM> is replaced after actuation so that the cartridge <NUM> is capable of providing enough pressurized gas to pressurize the actuation line and cause valves(s) of the cylinder(s) holding the fire suppression agent to open. In certain instances, the pressurized gas contained by the cartridge <NUM> may include nitrogen or carbon dioxide. The fire suppression agent within the cylinder <NUM> may be any suitable fire suppression agent. For example, in certain instances, the fire suppression agent can include sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, or monoammonium phosphate. By ensuring the cartridge <NUM> is replaced following actuation, the cartridge replacement aid <NUM> helps to ensure that the fire suppression agent is able to be released from the cylinder <NUM> when a fire risk is detected.

Claim 1:
A fire suppression system (<NUM>) comprising:
a cartridge (<NUM>) for holding a pressurized gas, the cartridge operatively connected to a valve (<NUM>);
a cam (<NUM>) for engaging a piercing pin (<NUM>), the piercing pin configured to release the pressurized gas when engaged; and
a cartridge replacement aid (<NUM>) configured between the cartridge (<NUM>) and the cam (<NUM>), the cartridge replacement aid comprising:
an aperture (<NUM>) configured to allow a cartridge (<NUM>) to pass through the cartridge replacement aid (<NUM>) and connect to a valve (<NUM>); and
a protrusion (<NUM>) configured to perpendicularly extend from the cartridge replacement aid (<NUM>),
wherein the protrusion (<NUM>), in combination with a projection (<NUM>) of the cam (<NUM>), is configured to prevent the cam from being reset.