Santa Barbara Research Center

John Streater

Mark T Kern

Richard C Heath

An apparatus for the discharge of powder by a fluidic propellant is suitable for use as a fire extinguisher, the apparatus including a container wherein powder and propellant is pressurized prior to use of the apparatus. Discharge of the powder and the propellant from the container is accomplished by means of a diaphragm in a wall of the container, there being a gas generator contained within a well of the container for providing an overpressure which, in combination with the pressure to which the propellant has been charged, fractures the diaphragm. Thereupon, the propellant and the powder exits the container in a homogeneous stream. The overpressure is less than approximately 30 percent, preferably 20 percent of the pressure to which the propellant and the powder are subjected during a charging of the container with the powder and the propellant. The charge pressure is in the range of 400-600 p.s.i. so as to be many times greater than the pressure of an environment external to the container. A battery operated circuit may be connected between a fire sensor and the gas generator for activation of the generator in a modular self-contained form of fire extinguisher.

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Henfield, United Kingdom

John Streater