Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Ford Motor Company Limited

Ford Global Tech.inc

Ford Motor Copany

Robert H Thompson

Joseph Dierker, Jr

Michael Joseph Harrigan, Sr

Todd Nelson Clark

Michael William Soltis

Lauren M Newton

Richard D Cupka, Jr

Michael J Harrigan

James A Anderson

David H Rothamel

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The distribution system includes composite nozzles having pressure-configurable orifices.

Onboard fire suppression system with nozzles having pressure-configurable orifices

An automotive fuel tank storage system includes a fuel storage tank installed in a vehicle and a barrier fluid tank containing a supply of barrier fluid. A distribution system connected with the barrier fluid tank and with the fuel storage tank distributes barrier fluid about the outer periphery of the fuel contained within the storage tank in the event of a collision event, creating a boundary layer of more viscous fluid which inhibits exfiltration of the fuel from the fuel storage tank.

Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel encapsulation system

An automotive fuel storage system includes a fuel storage tank and a binder fluid tank containing a supply of binder fluid. A mixer system connected with the binder fluid tank and the fluid storage tank mixes binder fluid throughout fuel contained within the storage tank, so as to increase the bulk viscosity of the fuel stored within the tank restricting the ability of the fuel to flow from the tank in the event of a collision of the vehicle.

Automotive fuel storage system with in-tank fuel binder system

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a multifunction valve element which controls pressure and vacuum within the reservoir during standby operation, while causing the fire suppressant agent to be directed through the distribution system if the propellant activates.

Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir having multifunction control valve

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The distribution system includes a composite reservoir containing pressure-configurable orifices.

Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with pressure-configurable orifices

A composite reservoir for an onboard fire suppression system includes an outer wall of composite material, with the outer wall having a generally cylindrical section. An inner reinforcement has a section inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer wall. A closure plug is inserted into the generally cylindrical section of the outer wall. The closure plug has an inner surface in contact with the inner reinforcement. A circumferential groove circumscribes the closure plug, and a tension member displaces the outer wall into contact with the circumferential groove, so as to maintain the closure plug in contact with the outer wall and the inner reinforcement.

Automotive fire suppression system with a composite reservoir having a combination lower closure and propellant base

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a discharge port controlled by a piloted spool valve actuated by pressure generated by a propellant device.

Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with discharge port controlled by piloted spool valve

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir includes a discharge port which is positioned in part by a tensile member extending through the reservoir to an anchor incorporated in an external wall section of the reservoir.

Automotive onboard fire suppression system reservoir with internal reinforcement

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The reservoir is protected by a thermal protection barrier applied to the reservoir's outer surface, excluding the base of a pyrotechnic propellant.

Thermally protected reservoir for onboard fire suppression system

An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes a reservoir structured for mounting to a vehicle. A primary component of a binary fire suppression agent is contained within the reservoir. A secondary component of the binary fire suppression agent is contained within a secondary reservoir or component delivery system which is activated by a flow of the primary component such that the primary component and the secondary component will be combined before being discharged from a series of nozzles.

Automotive fire suppression system with binary fire suppression agent

An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent and a propellant, operatively associated with the reservoir, for expelling the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. A distribution system for receiving fire suppressant agent expelled from said reservoir includes at least one feeder conduit which is connected with the reservoir by means of a quick connect coupler. The quick connect coupler facilitates assembly and servicing of the fire suppression system.

Automotive fire suppression system with quick connect fire suppression agent distribution system

An onboard fire suppression system for an automotive vehicle includes at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent, and a propellant device for evacuating the fire suppressant agent from the reservoir. The propellant device is located within the reservoir. An electrically powered initiator, operatively connected with the propellant device, initiates a discharge of gas from the propellant device. The initiator is energized by an initiator conductor which is housed within an axially compliant conduit which extends through at least one wall of the reservoir, and which defines an enclosed pathway from the exterior of the reservoir to the initiator. The axial compliance of the conduit permits weldless use of the conduit with a composite reservoir.

Automotive fire suppression system with reservoir having an axially compliant initiator conductor conduit

An onboard fire suppression system has a distribution network including porous, pressure-responsive nozzles which deliver fire suppression agent in a uniform pattern, without the need for drilling or other machining of nozzle orifices.

Automotive fire suppression system with porous distribution nozzles

An automotive vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least one reservoir containing a fire suppressant agent. A distribution system receives the fire suppression agent from the reservoir and conducts the agent to at least one location about the vehicle's body in response to the determination by a sensor system and controller that the vehicle has been subjected to a significant impact. The sensor system and controller determine not only the magnitude of an impact upon the vehicle, but also track subsequent motion of the vehicle, as well as the time which has elapsed since an impact, so as to decide if and when the fire suppressant agent should be dispersed. Alternatively, the fire suppressant agent may be dispersed following activation of a manual switch.

Automotive vehicle with fire suppression system

A fuel system which selectively receives, stores and delivers volatile fuel . Fuel system includes a variable volume fuel tank having a movable piston which is attached to a pair of bellows diaphragm members . Members selectively contract and expand to move piston within tank , effective to alter the volume of the fuel containing portion of tank , thereby maintaining fuel in a pressurized state and substantially preventing the accumulation of vapors within tank

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Redford, MI, United States of America

Robert H Thompson