Instantaneous release, dual valve for fire suppression apparatus

Abstract

An instantaneously actuatable, field-serviceable valve unit for pressurized fire suppression systems which allows extremely fast, essentially uninterrupted flow of extinguishant upon operation thereof and is constructed for permitting easy recharging and periodic servicing of the system in the field. The unit includes an elongated flow tube connected to a supply of extinguishant and having a pair of removably mounted rupture discs respectively located across the end of the tube and received in an aperture through the sidewall thereof, so that both discs experience the pressure of the extinguishant; a detonator is removably installed outside of the tube adjacent the sidewall-mounted disc for ready replacement thereof in the field, and is electrically actuatable in response to combustion conditions to explode and create a pressure sufficient to instantaneously burst the discs so that the pressurized extinguishant is released and allowed to flow uninterruptedly for quickly suppressing a fire. The removability of the discs, and the use of a filling valve located in the flow tube, allows the system to be recharged with extinguishant and rearmed without the necessity of factory servicing. The use of a nonfragmenting main disc for confining the fire suppression fluid assures safe operation by preventive discharge of projectiles into the protected space upon operation of the apparatus.