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EP-4735122-A1 - FIRE-FIGHTING DEVICE

EP4735122A1EP 4735122 A1EP4735122 A1EP 4735122A1EP-4735122-A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fire-fighting device (1), which device (1) comprises: - a casing (2) that defines an inner cavity (3) in which at least one dispersible extinguishing agent (4) is deposited, and - pyrotechnic means (5) suitable for generating an explosion causing said casing (2) to rupture and said extinguishing agent (4) to be dispersed. The pyrotechnic means (5) comprise a shock-sensing module (9) that comprises an electrical circuit (10) comprising an electrical power source (11), an electrical connector (12), at least one electronic vibration sensor (13), an electronic memory switch (14), and a static relay (15).

Inventors

  • PITOUX, JACQUES
  • JAUBERT, Marc

Assignees

  • Block'Fire International

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (11)

  1. [Claim 1] A fire-fighting device (1), which device (1) comprises: - an envelope (2) which delimits an internal cavity (3) in which at least one dispersible extinguishing agent (4) is placed, and - pyrotechnic means (5) adapted to generate an explosion causing a rupture of said envelope (2) and a dispersion of said extinguishing agent (4), which pyrotechnic means (5) comprise: - at least one explosive charge (6), generating said explosion, and - electric detonator means (7) intended to trigger said explosion of said at least one explosive charge (6), which electric detonator means (7) comprise: - an electric ignition component (8), designed to trigger, in an active state, said explosion of said at least one explosive charge (6), and - a shock sensor module (9), connected to said electrical ignition component (8), designed to detect a mechanical shock received by said device (1) and to bring said electrical ignition component (8) into said active state upon detection of said mechanical shock, which shock sensor module (9) comprises an electrical circuit (10) comprising: - a source of electrical energy (11), - an electrical connector (12), for connecting said shock sensor module (9) with said electric ignition component (8), - at least one electronic vibration sensor (13), intended to emit an electrical pulse upon detection of said mechanical shock, - an electronic memory switch (14), having two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- a passing state, under the effect of said electrical pulse emitted by said at least one electronic vibration sensor (13), - a static relay (15), presenting two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- an on state, generated by the on state of said electronic memory switch (14), in which the electrical energy of said electrical energy source (11) is transmitted to said electrical ignition component (8) for its transition to the active state.
  2. [Claim 2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical circuit (10) comprises at least two electronic vibration sensors (13) which are arranged in two different orientations.
  3. [Claim 3] Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said electronic memory switch (14) consists of a thyristor.
  4. [Claim 4] Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical circuit (10) comprises electronic components (17) intended to maintain a holding voltage in said electronic memory switch (14) for a complementary time, advantageously when the voltage coming from the electrical energy source (11) decreases and during the ignition time by said electrical ignition component (8).
  5. [Claim 5] Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the electronic components (17) comprise at least one diode (171) and at least one capacitor (172).
  6. [Claim 6] Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the electrical circuit (10) comprises a light-emitting diode (20) controllable between two states: - an off state, when the static relay (15) is in its blocked state, and - an on state, when the static relay (15) is in its passing state.
  7. [Claim 7] Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical connector (12) is chosen from self-tightening electrical connectors (12).
  8. [Claim 8] Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the electrical connector (12) is positioned in the center of the lower face (101a) of an electronic card (101).
  9. [Claim 9] Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electrical circuit (10) comprises electrical connectors (21) associated with a removable insulator (22), to electrically isolate said electrical circuit (10) with respect to the electric ignition component (8).
  10. [Claim 10] Fire-fighting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the shock sensor module (9) is: - outside said internal cavity (3), on the surface of the envelope (2) or at a distance from the envelope (2), or - integrated into the internal cavity (3).
  11. [Claim 11] Electric detonator means (7) for device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electric detonator means (7) comprise: - an electric ignition component (8), designed to trigger, in an active state, the explosion of said at least one explosive charge (6), and - a shock sensor module (9), connected to said electrical ignition component (8), designed to detect a mechanical shock received by said device (1) and to bring said electrical ignition component (8) into said active state upon detection of said mechanical shock, which shock sensor module (9) comprises an electrical circuit (10) comprising: - a source of electrical energy (11), - an electrical connector (12), for connecting said shock sensor module (9) with said electrical ignition component (8), - at least one electronic vibration sensor (13), intended to emit an electrical pulse upon detection of said mechanical shock, - an electronic memory switch (14), having two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- a passing state, under the effect of said electrical pulse emitted by said at least one electronic vibration sensor (13), - a static relay (15), presenting two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- an on state, generated by the on state of said electronic memory switch (14), in which the electrical energy of said electrical energy source (11) is transmitted to said electrical ignition component (8) for its transition to the active state.

Description

Description Fire fighting device Technical field of the invention The present invention relates, generally, to the field of fire fighting. It particularly concerns fire-fighting devices. State of the art Whether they occur in urban areas or in the wilderness, fires can cause significant damage, both human and material. Generally speaking, the human resources and equipment used to fight fires are adapted to their scale and the site concerned. Many types of firefighting equipment are known, from simple foam or powder extinguishers to fire tanker trucks and water bomber planes. As described in document US-6,796,382, there is also known a fire-fighting device consisting of a destructible container which is in the form of a sphere made of low-density rigid plastic foam (for example expanded polystyrene foam), about ten centimeters to a few tens of centimeters in diameter, and which contains a dispersible chemical product active against fire and a pyrotechnic detonator associated with a fuse. In an "active" approach, it would be interesting to throw this fire-fighting device directly into the fire, so that its fuse ignites, ensuring the activation of the detonator, followed by the destruction of the container and the dispersion of the dispersible chemical product. However, in practice, such fire-fighting devices are unfortunately not completely effective for this approach, particularly depending on the position of the fire to be extinguished or the configuration of the terrain. It is indeed appropriate that these control devices remain in the fire for a sufficient time (at least a few seconds) to ignite its fuse and to activate the detonator ensuring the release of the dispersible chemical product. However, due to its inertia and trajectory, the fire-fighting device is likely to come out of the fire before its fuse has had time to catch fire. This is the case, for example, when the fire-fighting device bounces off the fire, the ground is sloping or the projection speed was not suitable. There is therefore a need to improve these control bodies to enable such an "active" approach. Presentation of the invention The present invention therefore provides a fire-fighting device, improving/perfecting the fire-fighting members in particular in accordance with document US-6796 382, which is particularly suited to such an active approach (projected/launched directly into the fire). The device includes: - an envelope which delimits an internal cavity in which at least one dispersible extinguishing agent is placed, and - pyrotechnic means suitable for generating an explosion causing a rupture of said envelope and a dispersion of said extinguishing agent, which pyrotechnic means comprise: - at least one explosive charge, generating said explosion, and - electric detonating means intended to trigger said explosion of said at least one explosive charge, which electric detonating means comprise: - an electric ignition component, also called an igniter, designed to trigger, in an active state, said explosion of said at least one explosive charge, and - a shock sensor module, connected to said electrical ignition component, designed to detect a mechanical shock received by said device and to bring said electrical ignition component into said active state upon detection of said mechanical shock, which shock sensor module comprises an electrical circuit comprising: - a source of electrical energy, - an electrical connector, for connecting said shock sensor module with said electrical ignition component, - at least one electronic vibration sensor, intended to emit an electrical pulse upon detection of said mechanical shock, - an electronic memory switch, presenting two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- a passing state, under the effect of said electrical pulse emitted by said at least one electronic vibration sensor, - a static relay, presenting two states: -- a blocked, nominal state, and -- an on state, generated by the on state of said electronic memory switch, in which the electrical energy of said electrical energy source is transmitted to said electrical ignition component for its transition to the active state. Thus, in practice, the device according to the invention can be projected directly into the fire and can release its extinguishing agent within this fire (or even in the immediate vicinity or above) thanks to its impact triggering system. In fact, as soon as the projected device hits a surface (advantageously within this fire), its shock sensor detects a mechanical shock and brings (instantly) the ignition device into its active state. The ignition device, in its active state, causes (instantaneously) the explosion of said at least one explosive charge and, as a corollary, the rupture of said casing and the dispersion of said extinguishing agent. Such a device according to the invention therefore no longer requires a time of exposure to fire, as is necessary with the known fire-fighting devices of the prior