Patent ID: 12228959

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.

With reference now toFIG.1, an example of a system20for delivering a fire suppression agent to one or more cooking appliances10is illustrated. The fire suppression system20may be located separate or remotely from the cooking appliance10, such as within a vent hood12, or alternatively, may be integrated or housed at least partially within a portion of the cooking appliance10. It should be understood that the configuration of the delivery system20will vary based on the overall structural design of the cooking appliance10. The fire suppression system20includes one or more spray nozzles22associated with the cooking appliance10and a source of fire suppression agent24in the form of a self-contained pressure vessel. In embodiments including a plurality of cooking appliances10, one or more spray nozzles22may be dedicated to each cooking appliance10, or alternatively, one or more evenly spaced spray nozzles22may be used for all of the cooking appliances10. The source of fire suppression agent24is arranged in fluid communication with the nozzles22via an agent delivery path defined by a delivery piping system26. In the event of a fire, the fire suppression agent is allowed to flow through the delivery piping system26to the one or more spray nozzles22for release directly onto an adjacent cooking hazard area14of the one or more cooking appliances10.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the fire suppression agent can be selected from materials such as water, dry chemical agent, wet chemical agent, or the like. Further, the source of fire suppression agent24may additionally contain a gas propellant for facilitating the movement of the fire suppression agent through the delivery piping system26. However, embodiments where the propellant is stored separately from the fire suppression agent are also contemplated herein.

In an embodiment, the fire suppression system20is actuated in response to a fire sensing device (illustrated schematically at28), such as a smoke detector or a heat sensor for example. In response to detecting heat or smoke exceeding an allowable limit, a control box C will direct a signal to an actuator30to open a valve32to allow the fire suppression agent to flow from the source24to the nozzles22. Alternatively, or in addition, the fire suppression system20includes a manual activation system34, also referred to herein as a pull station, configured to actuate the control box C to activate the valve32to initiate operation of the fire suppression system20.

With reference now toFIGS.2-6, an example of a manual activation system34is illustrated in more detail. The manual activation system34includes a housing40having a pulley42rotatably mounted to pin.44. The pin44is supported by a bracket46. Although the bracket46is illustrated as being generally U shaped or C-shaped and connected to the pin44at opposite sides of the pulley42along the axis X of rotation of the pin44, it should be understood that any suitable bracket is within the scope of the disclosure. A tension member48, such as a rope or cable for example, is wrapped about a portion of the pulley42and is operably coupled to the control box C of the delivery system20. However, it should be understood that embodiments where the tension member48is operably coupled directly to the actuator30are also within the scope of the disclosure.

The pulley42is movable within the housing40between an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, as shown inFIGS.2-5, the tension member48applies a force (e.g., tension) on the control box C for the delivery system20to be in an inactive state. When the pulley42transforms to an active position, such as by moving vertically within the housing40, this tension within the cable48, and therefore the force applied in the control box C is reduced. In response, the control box C will transmit an electrical or pneumatic signal to the actuator30to activate the delivery system20.

The manual activation system34additionally includes a mechanical assembly50configured to maintain the pulley42in an inactive position. The mechanical assembly50includes at least one link arm pivotally or rotatably mounted to the housing40via a shaft. The at least one link arm is operably coupled to the pulley42to selectively oppose the tensile force acting on the pulley42. The at least one link arm may be configured to rotate relative to the shaft, or alternatively, the at least one link arm may be fixedly mounted to the shaft and the shaft may be rotatably mounted to the housing40. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the mechanical assembly50includes a two link arms52a,52bmounted to the housing40via two respective shafts54a,54b. Although two link arms are shown, it should be understood that an embodiment including only a single link arm and embodiments including more than two link arms are also contemplated herein. Although the first link arm52aand the second link arm are52billustrated as being substantially identical but mounted as mirror images of one another, embodiments where the first link arm52aand the second link arm52hhave different configurations are also within the scope of the disclosure.

The first shaft54aand the second shaft54bmay, but need not be arranged parallel to one another. Further, the first link arm52aand the second link arm52bmay be arranged adjacent opposing sides of the bracket46. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the first and second link arms52a,52bare arranged within a plane oriented perpendicular to the plane containing the arms of the bracket46.

In an embodiment, at least one biasing mechanism, such as a torsion spring for example, is operably coupled to the at least one link arm. In embodiments where the link arm52a,52bis configured to rotate with the shaft54a,54b, the biasing mechanisms56a,56b, as shown inFIG.5, may be mounted to the shafts54a,54b, respectively. However, in embodiments where the link arm52a,52bis configured to rotate relative to the shaft54a,54b, the biasing mechanism56a,56bmay be mounted to the link arm52a,52b. In an embodiment, the biasing force of the biasing mechanism56a,56bis configured to rotate the at least one link arm52a,52bin a direction away from the bracket46. In embodiments where the mechanical assembly50has a first and second link arm52a,52bmounted on opposite sides of the bracket46, the first and second link arm52a,52bare biased in opposite directions, represented by arrows B1, and B2respectively.

When the pulley42and therefore the manual activation system34is in an inactive position, the at least one link arm52a,52bis configured to oppose the tensile force acting on the pulley42by the tension member48. In the inactive position, the at least one link arm52a,52bis operably coupled to the bracket46. In an embodiment, the bracket46includes a feature58having at least one contoured surface60and the at least one link arm52,52bincludes an engagement surface62a,62bconfigured to cooperate with or engage a corresponding surface of the bracket46, such as the contoured surface60of the feature58. In embodiments where the mechanical assembly50includes a first link arm52aand a second link arm52b, the feature may similarly include a first and second contoured surface60, respectively. This engagement between the link arms52a,52band the contoured surfaces opposes movement of the bracket46, and therefore the pulley42, in response to the tensile force acting on the tension member48.

A contour of the engagement surface and the contoured surface may be generally complementary to one another. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the contoured surfaces60and the engagement surfaces62a,62bare sloped surfaces having substantially identical angles such that contact between the link arm52a,52band the feature58is made over the substantially entire engagement surface62a,62band contoured surface60a,60b; however, embodiments where the angles of the two surfaces60a,60b,62a,62bare different, or where the surfaces have different configurations and are configured to contact one another over only a portion thereof are also contemplated herein.

An activation member64is configured to cooperate with the one or more link arms52a,52bto maintain the tension acting on the pulley42. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the activation member64may be a U-shaped or C-shaped channel having two arms66a,66bextending parallel to one another. When installed within the housing40, the two arms66a,66bof the activation member64are positioned directly adjacent and in contact with the first and second link arm52a,52brespectively. The arms66a,66bof the activation member64oppose the biasing force of the biasing mechanisms56a,56bto restrict movement of the link arms52a,52bout of engagement with a portion of the bracket46, such as the contoured surface60. The arms66a,66bof the activation member64may therefore have any configuration such that the arms66a,66bare arranged at least partially within the path of rotation of each respective link arm52a,52b.

With reference now toFIG.6, to operate the manual activation system34, a user moves the activation member64away from the remainder of the mechanical assembly50and the housing40. In an embodiment, the activation member64is moved laterally, out of the plane of rotation of the link arms52a,52b. The activation member64may have a handle or other feature68to facilitate a user's manipulation of the activation member64. Upon removing the activation member64, the biasing force of the biasing mechanisms56a,56b, will bias the link arms52a,52babout their respective axes. This biasing force in combination with the tension acting on the pulley42will cause the link arms52a,52bto rotate out of engagement with the bracket46. Without the link arms52a,52bopposing the tensile force of the tension member48, the pulley is free to move within the housing40from the inactive position to the active position, thereby sending a signal to the control box C via a lack of cable tension.

By retaining the pulley42and bracket46in the inactive position via the mechanical assembly50, the manual activation system34as illustrated and described herein does not require a user to move a component to which the tensile force of the tension member is applied. Accordingly, the force required to activate the activation system34by a user is limited.

The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.