Title of Invention

A FIRE DETECTION AND EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

Abstract

ABSTRACT A fire detection and extinguishing system comprising micro hydro urbine coupled to a generator and a suction fan: a plurality of sprinklers located at predetermined places in, a building the process wate r in a source driving the turbine to drive the generator and generate electric energy for powering the fan and operating the sprinkler, and to operate the sprinkler, a solenoid value through which water is sent to the turbine a control chamber for receiving the water: from the turbine the control chamber controlling the opening of the sprinkler output port a battery changed by the generator output the said generator powering the control system communication system and the alarm system a suction chamber housing a smoke sensor the said sensor continusously checking the passing air for smoke particles and sending asignal to the control system the control chamber transferring water from the water source to the sprinklers during emergency conditions a waterm inlet port for the control chamber coming from the turbic and a drain and sprinkler poutlet ports leaving the control chamber a piston within the control chamber to allow flow of water to the sprinkler during emergecy conditions and to close such flow during normal conditions a reset lever at the bottom of the control chamber manually operable to react the piston after the fire is extinguished

Full Text

This invention relates to a fire detection and extinguishing system and is well suited for use in detecting fire and extinguishing it. The device is highly effective and quick in operation. The drawbacks associated with the known smoke detectors and extinguishers are: 1. The sprinkler control units and the sprinklers are separate units. 2. Power line or Battery power is required for the functioning of the sprinkler control units and the sprinklers. 3. The sensors have to be tested manually, for instance, by placing a candle near them to check whether they react to the smoke from the candle. 4. The sensors have to be cleaned periodically to ensure that they retain their sensitivity. 5. There is no way to check the water pressure and flow required for extinguishing a fire. There is therefore the danger of not getting enough water in a crisis. 6. The smoke has to find its way into a sensing chamber so much so that the smoke takes a long time to operate the sensing arrangement. 7. The placement of the sensor is critical and the certainly of sensing directly depends on the effective placement of the sensor. 8. The communication from the sensor to the control system is through cables, which are liable to damage. 9. Periodical checking of the condition in which the battery is required in case the sensors are working on battery power. 10. False Alarm and tripping may arise if the sensors are degraded due to dust and smoke deposits over a period of time during use. The result of the foregoing drawbacks is: 1. The need for separate power sources either through wire from a power source or through battery. 2. The processing and control system has to be connected to the sensor and sprinkler through external cables. 3. Because of the mherent delay in smoke sensing, there is a major risk of detecting the fire after it is fully-grown. Early detection of smoke and quick action helps to eliminate or at least minimize the damage considerably. 4. Uncertainty over the availability of water source is a major problem. 5. There is no auto cleaning and calibration to have reliable sensing. 6. Since the sensors have to be positioned strategically which is normally at the center of the room, the aesthetics of the room are affected. Moreover, multiple sensing in a single room is not possible. Therefore, the smoke from a comer of the room has to find its way to the single sensor mounted at the center of the room. 7. There is no self-testing of the components and immediate intimation of malfunctioning. In this invention: 1. A sensor cleaning mechanism which has a "swipe" action ensures that the sensors are kept clean at all times. 2. A sensor calibration mechanism calibrates the sensors automatically and re-programs it. 3. Multilevel air suction mechanism ensures that the air in the room is always sucked into the sensing chamber from multiple parts of the room without waiting for the smoke to find its way to the sensor thereby enhancing the chances of sensing the smoke much earlier. 4. A multi speed suction fan ensures that in case of initial smoke detection the suction speed is increased to enable the sensor to draw more air or smoke to analyze and avoid hasty action to reduce the chances of false alarm and tripping. 5. An inbuilt battery charger charges the battery continuously and in case of any drop in water pressure RF / Blue tooth communication is established through the nearest telephone line. 6. By reason of its multi input and multi output port communication, this assembly can be kept in a remote place in the room and a small duct for sensing and sprinkling can be run which can be camouflaged with the room decor. 7. A manual reset / calibrate lever is given to ensure manual override. 8. The unique concept of Hydro Turbine Generator and suction fan, to monitor and extinguish fire is modular and compact thereby saving space and increasing the reliability. 9. A unique control chamber with piston and pressure link with input eliminates the need for big solenoid valves. The mechanical arrangement is simple, robust and reliable. To Summarize the salient features of this invention: 1. Auto generation with battery charging. 2. Piston and sprinkler with lock mechanism. 3. Multi speed air intake mechanism. 4. Air breather system with quick sense technology. 5. Auto Sensor calibration system. 6. Auto sensor cleaning mechanism. 7. Quick act hydro system. 8. Multi speed water flow control using generator and turbine. 9. Water head, pressure and flow sensing system. lO.Muiti input port for early detection of smoke. 11. Multi output port for quick quenching of fire. This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example and not by way of limitation, in the single Figure therein, one of possible embodiments of the fire detection and extinguishing system proposed herein. The embodiments design envisages a micro hydro turbine T, mechanically coupled to a generator G and a suction fan F. The water pressure is used effectively to generate electricity, to drive the suction fan F, to operate the sprinkler S. The water to the turbine T is sent through a solenoid valve V through a by pass tube B. The water from the turbine T is sent to a control chamber C. The control chamber controls the opening of the sprinkler output port P2. The generator power output is used to charge a battery D. The control system, sensors, communication system and the alarm system use this power. The suction fan rotates along with the turbine and the fan continuously sucks the air/smoke inside the room and the air passes through a suction chamber E with smoke sensor A. The sensor continuously checks the passing air whether it contains any smoke particles or not and sends a signal to the control system H. The purpose of the suction fan F is to suck the air / smoke continuously from the area where the inlet port Ql is fitted. This suction fan is used to help the sensor A to detect the smoke quickly. The control chamber is used to transfer water from the main water pipe W to the sprinkler S during emergency conditions. It has a water inlet port Q2 coming from the turbine and two outlet ports P2 namely drain and sprinkler. It also has a piston R inside to allow the water to the sprinkler during emergency condition and to close the path during normal condition. There is also a reset lever L at the bottom of the chamber which can be manually operated to reset the piston after extinguishing the fire and to pull the piston downwards to make way for the water to reach the sprinkler if any blockage in the piston movement during emergency condition. The suction chamber E with smoke sensor A is a chamber through which only the air/smoke is sucked from the inlet port Q1 and passed through the sensor unit and sent out through the outlet port PI by the suction fan F. It consists of Sensor A, Light source M and a Swiper N. The smoke sensor A is fixed inside the suction chamber E through which the Air/smoke will pass to the Air/smoke outlet port PI. During the passing of Air/smoke, the sensor will detect whether there are any smoke particles in the air and if so, then it will send the information to the control system H. The sensor A and hght source M are periodically and automatically cleaned and calibrated by the swiper. So the functioning, cleanliness, sensitivity and response of the sensor A is always monitored by the control system H. The swiper N has a glass cube K with impregnated carbon particles fixed at the bottom edge of a black sponge and a reflector J is fixed at the bottom end of this glass cube to reflect the full light of the source to the receiver. This system is used to calibrate the sensor for various levels of light intensity. Sprinkler S is a device, which is used to spray the water at high velocity to extinguish the fire durmg emergency conditions. It is fitted on top of the roof of the building. The number of Sprinklers may vary according to the area of the room. The control system H gets the information from the sensor A, Micro switch O, Battery D and controls the Solenoid valve V, Battery D, Sensor A, communication system 1 and Alarm Y accordmg to the conditions prevailing. The alarm Y is used to warn people about a fire in a particular area. The battery D has a set of rechargeable electric cells to store electric power and to be used by the system. The communication system is an In-Built communication port. Whenever the system identifies the fire or malfiinctions, the communication system sends information to the programmed user immediately to alert hun about the fire in a particular region. It will also send infonnation about any defect in the system. The water from the main water tank is let into the turbine T through a solenoid valve V and through a small bypass tube B. Normally, a small quantity of water always flows through the by pass tube to turn the turbine. The water led into the turbine causes the turbine to rotate. The water coming out from the turbine enters into the control chamber C. The rotational speed and the power output of the turbine are dependent on the water flow. This hydropower is harnessed both for producing electrical power and for producing the suction force of the suction fan as the fan is mechanically connected on the same axis of the turbine. The power produced by the generator G charges a back up battery D. The water inside the control chamber C is contumously let out through the drain U. This water can be again pumped to the main water tank X to avoid wastage. What is stated above is the normal mode or vigil mode. In case smoke is detected in the normal mode, the solenoid valve will open, letting in a large quantity of water into the turbine. This extra quantity will rotate the turbine faster; consequently, it sucks more air into the suction chamber to be analyzed. This helps to reduce the possibihty of a false alarm, and reduces the response time of the sensors. Since more air is sucked under pressure, the chances of false alarm is reduced. In addition, since more suction force is given, the smoke is sucked into the chamber more effectively. This is the quick sense mode. At the time of opening of the solenoid valve, the piston is in the top position. The water starts filling inside the chamber above the piston. Meanwhile a portion of the water escapes through the drain continuously. At the same time the control system will analyze if there is smoke or not in the passing air. If the smoke is present, the solenoid valve is kept open for the water to fill up the control chamber, there by increasing the water pressure inside the chamber. This increased pressure forces the piston down, opening the discharge ports to the sprinkler. A piston housed in the control chamber actuates the water sprinkler mechanism. This mechanism works solely on the hydro pressure exerted by water and not dependent on any electrical power. In case, there is no smoke, then the solenoid valve is closed. The accumulated water escapes through the drain. The suction fan operates at two levels and normally it rotates slowly, sucking the air continuously. In case a higher sampling is required to confirm the presence of smoke particles, the suction fan is made to rotate at a higher speed, there by sucking more air to check for the presence of smoke. A swiper mechanism consists of three sections namely, The black- Zero zone, The sample- calibration Zone and the white-Full power Zone. The sensing is done through Photo optic sensors. The air with smoke particles is made to pass through an orifice where a light source is kept perpendicular to the airflow direction. A sensor is kept perpendicular to both the light beam direction and the airflow direction. Nonnally, in the absence of any smoke / dust particles, the sensor will not receive any light. In case of the presence of smoke particles in the air, the particles will scatter the light beam from the source, The receiver will receive this scattered light and produce electric current according to the intensity of scattered light. This increase of current is sensed and if found to be above a given threshold level, then the equipment switches to quick sense mode. In the quick sense mode, the suction fan is rotated at a higher speed. This sucks more air/ smoke faster. This extra flow compresses the air and smoke particles. Therefore more smoke particles are present in the chamber, scattering more light. So at this quick sense mode, the threshold level is higher for the smoke detection. This high level reduces the chances of false alarm. The sensing is also fast and reliable. A piston with flange is positioned inside the control chamber, in such a way that the flange blocks the passage between the water inlet and the outlet to the sprinkler. This piston and flange are kept in their position because of the differential pressure due to the water head and the atmosphere. Once, the smoke is detected in the quick sense mode, the space above the piston in the control chamber is filled with water. Then the water entering the control chamber increases the pressure inside. The water pressure slowly approaches the head pressure and there is downward force acting on the piston, making the piston to move downwards. This movement opens up the sprinkler port to the inlet port. So water gushes out of the sprinkler to put out the fire. After extinguishing the fire, the piston is again positioned at its place manually, so that the sprinkler is ready for operation. The sponge in the swiper mechanism periodically swipes the sensor and receiver gently, there by cleaning them. A calibrating glass piece is also attached to the shaft. This piece has three zones namely the black, Sample and the white. In the black zone, the glass is opaque and so there will not be any reflected light from the source to the sensor. Hence the output from the sensor will be minimum, which is taken as the zero level. Then the glass has the calibration zone. The glass in this zone has carbon/ dust particles implanted at a uniform density so that the scattering corresponds to a fixed amount of particles/cubic centimeters. The output from the sensor is measured and calibrated for the known scattering value. Then we have the white zone where a mirror is kept in such a way that the entire light from the source is reflected to the sensor. The sensor out put is noted and mapped as the full-scale value. This cleaning and calibration is done periodically to avoid the effect of degradation of sensor and source, due to prolonged use and exposure to dust and smoke. Periodica] stams reports are sent to an external device through the communication system. From the external device, such as, a computer, the information is relayed to the outside world where further action can be taken. The total time of flow of water inside the chamber is monitored by the control system. The time of flow and the turbine speed is a direct indication of water head pressure in the overhead tank. It also detects if the tank is empty. In case the solenoid does not work, Alarm is raised through the controller. In case the turbine / Generator is defective the control system senses and alarm is raised. In case smoke detector senses alarm, generator is cut off. Rod pops out, and Alarm is raised. A hydro turbine is connected to a generator. The inlet water can reach the turbine either through a small bye pass pipe or by the opening of a Solenoid valve. This water turns the turbine and is collected in the control chamber. The turbine in turn is mechanically connected to a generator and a suction fan. During the normal operating mode, the solenoid valve remains closed. A small quantity of water enters the turbine through the bypass tube and keeps the turbine rotating at a slow speed. This slow speed trickle charges the battery and provides a small suction from the suction fan. The water collected in the control chamber gets drained through the Drain. The air/smoke is sucked in to the fan through the sensor. Hence, there is always a suction force at the air / smoke inlet. The sucked smoke is made to pass through the sensor, thereby reducing the response time and uncertainty. Whenever the solenoid valve opens the higher quantum of water enters the turbine and rotates the turbine at the higher speed, giving rise to a higher suction force in the fan and higher voltage in the generator. The water speed is proportional to the pressure difference between the head and the control chamber. Hence at the time of opening of the solenoid valve the control chamber will almost be empty and the pressure difference will be maximum, thereby giving maximum rotational speed, suction force and generated voltage. The water entering the control chamber from the turbine is much more than the water discharged from the control chamber through the Drain. The excess water gets accumulated in the control chamber, slowly increasing the water level inside the control chamber. The controller then depending on the situation will decide whether to close the Solenoid valve, or continue to keep the Solenoid valve open to allow the pressure inside the control chamber to buildup and approach the pressure head. The Solenoid valve opens during the following circumstances - a. For optimize charging of battery b. When the smoke is detected The speed of the turbine in both situations i.e., norma! operation and with the Solenoid valve in open condition is dependent on the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the turbine. Hence, monitoring the speed of the turbine can always check the water pressure. The following components are checked periodically. 1. Solenoid valve 2. Generator 3. Suction fan 4. Drain 5. Battery 6. Swiper mechanism The sensor cleaning mechanism cleans up the sensor by wiping the sensor surfaces with foam periodically and also checks for a black and white level to ensure repeated accurate performance of the sensor at all circumstances. The mechanism not only cleans the sensor but also vacuum cleans the calibrating unit surfaces by using the suction fan power. Whenever the battery voltage gets low the unit automatically switches over to the charging mode. In this mode, turbine is rotated faster by sending higher quantity of water. This higher speed produces higher power from the generator and is used to charge the battery. During the normal operation the turbine runs at a slow speed and trickle charges the battery. Inbuilt RF / Blue tooth communication port sends and receive information pertodically from Computer or Telephone. In case of any fire, emergency or failure of any component or system, the unit automatically will send a message or information to the programmed receiver for immediate attention and action. Hydraulic pressure ensures that most hlocks either at drain or at the inlet are cleared immediately. The block in the drain is sensed automatically and action is taken immediately. There can be block in places where the drain is veiy small namely the solenoid by-pass port at the inlet of the generator and the drain outlet port from the control chamber. The block on the by-pass port is cleaned by electrically rotating the turbine, thereby creating a vacuum at the turbine end. It will suck the water from the by-pass thereby clearing the block. To clear the drain block in the control chamber, the system will keep the solenoid valve open till the water in the control chamber attains sufficient pressure to clear the block. A suction fan is connected to the turbine. This fan normally rotates at a slow speed creating a low pressure. This low pressure sucks the air/smoke from the inlet port and throws it across the sensor. Since the equipment always sucks the Air/smoke, the sensor does not have to wait for the smoke to find it into the sensing chamber. This feature helps in detecting the smoke at a much earlier stage than the conventional detector. Also the negative pressure enhances the chances of detecting smoke positively. Normally the unit sucks the air and smoke by rotating the turbine in slow speed. Whenever smoke is detected the solenoid valve is opened and the turbine starts rotating at a high speed. The suction fan coupled with the turbine directly starts sucking more air. Hence more air is passed through the sensor. This is something similar to the deep inhalation we make once we smell smoke. This additional quantum of air/ smoke is allowed to pass through the sensor to make the sensing easier and reliable. In other words if a few smoke particles are detected in normal mode, the system automatically switch over to the high speed mode where more smoke particles should be present per sec because of higher flow rate. If this does not happen then the system concludes a false alarm and informs the appropriate person. On the other hand if the smoke particles increase then the smoke can be positively decided as existing. The above technique clearly enhances the chances of detecting smoke at the earliest, reducing the false alarm. The inlet port and the sensor can be kept separately and can be formed by a tube. So the inlet smoke port can be kept at any place of our choice and the inlet port can also he made very small from the standpoint of aesthetics. Unlike the conventional Sprinkler of having a sensor and sprinkler together for strategic reason the system can accommodate multiple sprinklers at a place away from the system and connected to the pipe. Multiple outlet ports can spray water effectively over a larger area more uniformly, putting out the fire faster. A cahbration glass cube is fixed with the swiper. This cube has three zones namely Black, Sample and white. By passing this cube between the light source and the sensor, the unit automatically calibrates itself periodically thereby offsetting the long-term effects of the sensors and light source. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing from the scope and ambit of this invention. I Claim: 1. A fire detection and extinguishing system comprising a micro hydro turbine coupled to a generator and a suction fan; a plurality of sprinklers located at predetermined places in a building the pressure of water in a source driving the turbine to drive the generator and generate electric energy for powering the fan and operating the sprinkler, and to operate the sprinkler; a solenoid valve through which water is sent to the turbine; a control chamber for receiving the water from the turbine, the control chamber controlling the opening of the sprinkler output port; a battery charged by the generator output, the said generator powering the control system, communication system and the alarm system; a suction chamber housing a smoke sensor, the said sensor continuously checking the passing air for smoke particles and sending a signal to the control system; the control chamber transferring water from the water source to the sprinklers during emergency conditions; a water inlet port for the control chamber coming from the turbine and a drain and sprinkler outlet ports leaving the control chamber; a piston within the control chamber to allow flow of water to the sprinkler during emergency conditions and to close such flow during normal condition; a reset lever at the bottom of the control chamber manually operable to reset the piston after the fire is extinguished. 2. A fire detector and extinguishing system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the sensor is fixed inside the suction chamber through which the air /smoke passes to the air/smoke outlet port for detecting any smoke particles and if so for sending the information to the control system; a swiper monitored by the control system, for periodically and automatically cleaning and cahbrating the sensors. 3. A fire detection and extinguishing system as claimed in Claim I wherein the swiper has a transparent cube with impregnated carbon particles fixed at the bottom edge of a black sponge and a reflector is fixed at the bottom end of this glass cube to reflect the full light of the source to the receiver, for calibrating the sensor for various levels of light intensity, 4. A fire detection and extinguishing system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the control system incorporates an alarm. 5. A fire detection and extinguishing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the battery has a set of rechargeable electric cells. 6.A fire detection and extinguishing system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the communication means consist of a communication port for communicating the occurrence of a fire or a malfunction in the said system. 7. A fire detection and extinguishing system substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the

Documents:

1835-che-2006 complete specification as granted.pdf

1835-che-2006 abstract.pdf

1835-che-2006 claims.pdf

1835-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE OTHERS.pdf

1835-CHE-2006 CORRESPONDENCE PO.pdf

1835-che-2006 correspondence-others.pdf

1835-che-2006 correspondence-po.pdf

1835-che-2006 description (complete).pdf

1835-che-2006 drawings.pdf

1835-che-2006 form-1.pdf

1835-che-2006 form-18.pdf

1835-che-2006 form-26.pdf

EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY.PDF