Fire Suppression System for Aircraft Storage Containers

摘要

A fire suppression system for aircraft storage containers includes a fire suppression unit removably located within each cargo container and a human to machine interface (HMI) located in the aircraft cockpit. Each fire suppression unit includes an identifier so that each unit is identified and correlated with its container. The HMI monitors each fire suppression unit including monitoring internal temperature, presence of chemical fumes, presence of smoke, presence of flammable gases, and presence of fire. Each fire suppression unit is programmed with specific thresholds of temperature, chemical fumes, smoke, and/or flammable gases, whereby when a threshold is reached activation of fire suppression means within the fire suppression unit is accomplished.

主权项

1. In an aircraft having a cockpit, a baggage compartment, and a plurality of cargo containers, the improvement comprising a fire suppression system, comprising:
a) for each cargo container, a fire suppression unit removably placed within said cargo container, each said fire suppression unit comprising:
i) a housing having a wall with at least one opening therethrough;ii) an inner chamber containing a fire extinguisher, a temperature sensor, a smoke detector, and a battery-powered controller and communications device;iii) a valve controlling dispensing of fire suppression chemicals from said fire extinguisher;iv) said temperature sensor communicating temperature readings to said controller;v) said smoke detector communicating smoke concentration data to said controller;vi) said controller communicating with a human to machine interface (HMI) via said communications device; b) said HMI being located remote from said baggage compartment; c) said controller receiving signals from said temperature sensor and smoke detector and, responsive thereto, controlling operation of said valve to dispense when necessary fire suppression chemicals from said fire extinguisher, through said at least one opening and into said cargo container; d) via said communications device, said controller communicating data received from said temperature sensor and smoke detector to said HMI and communicating information concerning activations of said valve.