| US2726897A | 1955-12-13 | |||
| US5669449A | 1997-09-23 | |||
| US20060150899A1 | 2006-07-13 | |||
| US4475691A | 1984-10-09 | |||
| EP1072290A2 | 2001-01-31 | |||
| EP0518666A1 | 1992-12-16 | |||
| US20030146303A1 | 2003-08-07 |
CLAIMS
1. An array of nozzles which includes a plurality of individual nozzles, each nozzle having an orifice and a deflection surface, the deflection surface of each nozzle being oriented at an angle to a common base or base line and including at least two different angles.
2. An array of nozzles as claimed in claim 1 , which also includes nozzles of other types to the orifice-and-deflection type, including "rose" type nozzles that have a plurality of holes at differing angles.
3. An array of nozzles as claimed in either one of claims 1 or 2, in which the nozzles having an orifice and deflection surface are provided with one or more adapter(s) for interposing between the nozzle and the base to increase the angle between the nozzle deflector surface and the base.
4. An array of nozzles as claimed in claim 3, in which each deflector has a passage passing through it and surfaces for connection to the nozzle and base respectively that are inclined with respect to each other, presenting a "wedge-like" appearance.
5. An array of nozzles as herein described and as illustrated in the drawings.
6. An array of nozzles as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, provided as a mobile roadway barrier.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention lies in the field of fire and explosion suppression, in particular the invention relates to mechanical equipment used in apparatus for fire and explosion protection. Apparatus of this kind has been described in South African patent 96/0178, granted to the present applicant, and in Patent Cooperation Treaty application PCT/ZA2005/00163, for example.
BACKGROUND
South African patent 96/0178 describes a valve for use in fire and explosion suppression apparatus, which achieves very fast opening of the valve, for example, within 2 or 4 milliseconds, which is critical for dealing with explosions effectively. Extinguishing substance, for example held in a steel pressure vessel at 100 to 150 bar is released to nozzles or other distribution means when the valve opens.
The fire and explosion suppression apparatus has been applied to "roadway" protection in underground mining and elsewhere as a mobile apparatus. The apparatus must address the requirement of distribution of the extinguishing medium in differing surroundings in special ways, in particular as a "curtain" of extinguishing medium; this is sprayed out as a barrier to an advancing flame front and it is vital that the curtain is essentially imperforate. This invention provides an addition, modification or improvement for addressing this requirement.
THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an array of nozzles which includes a plurality of individual nozzles, each nozzle having an orifice and a deflection surface, the deflection surface of each nozzle being oriented at an angle to a common base or base line and including at least two different angles.
The array of nozzles may also include nozzles of other types to the orifice- and-deflection type, for example "rose" type nozzles that have a plurality of holes at differing angles.
The nozzle having an orifice and deflection surface may be provided with one or more adapter(s) that may be interposed between the nozzle and the base to increase the angle between the nozzle deflector surface and the base. Each deflector has a passage passing through it and surfaces for connection to the nozzle and base respectively that are inclined with respect to each other, presenting a "wedge-like" appearance.
THE DRAWINGS
The invention is more fully described by way of description with reference to the drawings, in which : -
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a nozzle array according to an embodiment of the invention,
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the nozzle array,
Figure 3 is a cross sectional side elevation of the nozzle array,
Figure 4 is an elevation of one nozzle of the array,
Figure 5 is a side cross sectional elevation of the nozzle,
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a nozzle array according to another embodiment of the invention,,
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the nozzle array,
Figure 8 is a plan view of the "rose-like" nozzle,
Figure 9 is a cross sectional side elevation of the "rose-like" nozzle,
Figure 10 is an isometric view of an enhanced array of nozzles,
Figure 11 is an elevation of the enhanced array of nozzles,
Figure 12 is an isometric view of an enhanced array of nozzles which includes a "rose-like" nozzle,
Figure 13 is an elevation of the enhanced array of nozzles which includes a "rose-like" nozzle,
Figure 14 is a photograph of the enhanced nozzle array mounted on a wheeled carriage,
Figure 15 is side elevation of the carriage bearing the nozzle array, and
Figure 16 is a photograph showing an obliquely angled enhanced array of nozzles on a wheeled carriage.
THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in figures 1 to 5, the array of nozzles includes a plurality of individual nozzles at positions 1 , 2, 3 and 4, each nozzle having an orifice 5 and a deflection surface 6, 7, 8 and 9, the deflection surface of each nozzle being oriented at a unique angle to a common base 10 and including at least two different angles, in this example four different angles. The nozzles orifices are normally closed by rubber inserts 11 as shown located in the body of the nozzle and are blown out when the shielding or curtain-forming gas under very high pressure is applied to the nozzle.
As shown in figure 3 in particular the nozzle position 1 is provided by a single integrally formed unit 12 while the nozzle position 2 is formed by the unit 12 having an adapter 13 interposed between it and the base; the adapter has a passage 14 passing through it and leading to the nozzle orifice, with a "wedge-like" effect that increases the angle of the deflector surface to the base. Similarly the nozzle position 3 is formed by the nozzle 12 having another adapter 14 interposed between the nozzle and the base. Again, the last nozzle position 4 has the nozzle 12 with both adaptors 13 and 14 interposed.
Figures 4 and 5 show the nozzle 12 in more detail and the rubber insert 11.
Figures 6 and 7 show another array of nozzles that includes three nozzles of the type shown in figures 1 to 3 with added to them a "rose-like" nozzle 15. This nozzle has a cup-shaped component 16 that has holes 17 to 21 provided in it in at successive angles and in three axes 22 to 24 as seen in figure 8.
Figures 10 and 11 show an extended array of nozzles 25 made up of six nozzle sets of the kind shown in figures 1 to 3, arranged in a star formation as shown; the nozzles are directed so that a sheet of quenching substance is blown outwardly from the array.
Figures 12 and 13 show a similar array of nozzles 26 but of the kind shown in figures 6 and 7, with three defelction-type nozzles and one rose-type nozzle in each of the six sets.
Figures 14 and 15 show an array 27 mounted on a mobile platform 28; also seen are two opto-electronic detectors 29 which detect an approaching flame front of a fire or explosion and cylinders 30 that contain the quenching gas or poeder under very high pressure; control valves 31 are located below the cylinders. The array of nozzles is mounted on a panel 32 on a pole 33 which is mounted on pins top and bottom so that it can be rotated to angle the array obliquely, as shown in figure 16.
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REFERENCE NUMERALS
1 nozzle position
2 nozzle position
3 nozzle position nozzle position
5 nozzle orifice deflection face
7 deflection face
8 deflection face
9 deflection face
10 base
11 plug
12 nozzle body
13 insert
14 insert
15 rose-type nozzle 6 cup shaped nozzle cap 7 orifice 8 orifice 9 orifice 0 orifice 1 orifice 2 axis 3 axis 4 axis 5 extended nozzle array 6 extended nozzle array 7 extended nozzle arary 8 mobile platform 9 opto-electronic detectors
cylinders valve controls panel pole
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