[0001] The subject of this invention is a device ensuring a two-phase flow in an atomiser
of liquid as well as an atomiser of liquid containing such a device, and also a method
of altering an atomiser of liquid.
[0002] Devices used to disperse liquids relevant from a standpoint of this innovation are
equipped with a reservoir (a pressure vessel) containing some liquid, e.g. water or
water-based solutions, and a motive gas ensuring a hydrofore-type mechanism of evacuating
said liquid from the reservoir. Such devices, in the upper part, are equipped with
a head assembly comprising a control valve and at least one egress channel capped
with an exit nozzle, as well as a plunger tube, extending from the head assembly,
at least partly into the reservoir. The plunger tube, in its lowermost part, where
it almost touches bottom of the reservoir, has an ingress channel, often fitted with
a filter, the latter sifting out undesired solid particles, which may damage the head
or clog the exit nozzle. The head assembly has various kinds of body fittings; a seat
to attach a hose or an exit nozzle, or a dispersion chamber; upstream the exit nozzle,
a pressure gauge with an indicator, or a safety-valve; and it may have a variegated
layout. In more evolved embodiments of the atomiser (so called "mobile fire-fighting
plant") head assembly may be a part of the manifold conjoining two or more liquid
phase reservoirs, a vessel holding gas under pressure, a fire hose manifold or an
operator's gas mask etc. Devices of such type may be used in fields like, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, e.g. for skin care; as components of crop-protection machinery; in disinfection
or construction, to surface-protecting or impregnating materials or structures.
[0003] Fire extinguishers are a special case of the device under consideration. Extinguishers
charged with water (or any different incombustible liquid) and filled with a motive
gas, where a highly dispersed plume of mist, adequate for fire suppression applications
is achieved, and meeting the regulatory requirements for portable or mobile fire extinguisherfire
extinguishers are referred to as the water mist fire extinguishers. Usually in such
fire extinguishers two-phase flow is not employed, and the dispersion level is realised
due to a proper construction of an exit nozzle.
[0004] Electric conductivity of an extinguishing stream is a problem of all water fire extinguishers,
complete with a high post-fire damage due to a fire suppression aftermath. Mist fire
extinguishers (and especially water mist extinguishers employing pure water) are helpful
in eliminating these inconveniences, while simultaneously advantages of water as an
easily accessible, cheap and environmentally-friendly extinguishing agent are retained.
Additional advantages of fire mist include a possibility of suppressing all classes
of fires, apart from fires of combustible metals (class D); absence of corrosion in
a vicinity of conflagration, sufficient amount of oxygen in an ambient air neighbouring
the fire to permit breathing, removing smoke from the surroundings, creating a protective
mist-shroud thermal screen protecting an operator and bystanders, non-cracking of
hot cast-iron casings or similar elements (elimination of a thermal shock) subject
to a fire suppression when water mist is used, low kinetic energy of fire-effective
mist allowing for extinguishing live people.
[0005] However, existing designs of typical portable water fire extinguishers encounter
a barrier of a limited quantity of motive gas indispensable to disperse water to a
degree of a fire mist. Two venues of generating mist are practicable. First, is a
dynamic breakup of the liquid stream, when a single-phase feed stream reaches the
exit nozzle, more seldom - reaching a dispersion chamber, which requires ensuring
relatively high pressure values. The second venue, and such was applied in the device
according to invention, is taking advantage of a two-phase flow to disperse a liquid,
where required pressures values at the supply side are lower.
[0006] In the international patent application
WO2007006987A1 presented device is equipped with a syphon tube having one opening or several openings,
located above a free surface of a liquid, on the same height; an influx of gas into
a stream of liquid agent inside the tube generates a two-phase flow in a form of bubbles
of gas carried by a torrent of the liquid. The authors do not relate to the required
parameters for the openings in syphon tube in any detail and propose no additional
of improvements of the device. At motive gas (nitrogen) pressure of 15 bar, for a
10-litre capacity cylinder filled with 3 litres of water, the dispersion of water
attained droplet size below 400 micrometres, and the stream of mist reached 8 m, whereas
the duration of device operation was 25 seconds. The authors hinted problems associated
with calibration of the device, e. g. a possibility of excessive ramming the syphon
tube with gas. For a case of an extinguisher use, represented in there, only less
than 1/3 of a reservoir was filled with an extinguishing agent (water), an aftereffect
of lack of any gas management and a subsequent necessity to assure a surplus of gas.
[0007] In the international patent application
WO2011011087383A1 (also Polish application P.
390170) a device to regulate two-phase flow was introduced. The crux of this device concept
is an incorporation of a bladed rotor having a special layout; and separate gas and
liquid supply lines, organised in a counter current scheme. The feeding gas line is
blinded on one end, has side openings to ensure a graded gas proportioning, however
the process of creating of a two-phase flow takes place in a mixing chamber of the
rotor only, whereas this outflow remains a plug-type throughout almost entire duration
of a process, except at the end of the discharge the flow changes to a dispersive
type, during the phase of a cylinder blowthrough.
[0008] Different types of dispersive exit nozzles, including effervescent nozzles introduced
at the end of last century, are found in atomisers, nebulisers, injectors and burners.
[0009] In the particular patent applications
US20120241535A1 and
US20140138102A1 examples of improved, effervescent dispersive nozzles were introduced. Under condition
that the feeding two-phase flow is adequate, for such nozzles rates of consumption
of gas per liquid input are usually the smallest possible.
[0010] An example of a collision-type dispersive nozzle, where exiting streams are forced
to collide, is presented in description of the utility design
PL65131Y1.
[0011] EP 0 874 669 A1 discloses a typical device ensuring a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser.
[0012] Because of important benefits all mist fire extinguishers entail there is a persistent
demand for improvement of these devices. For a fire extinguisher working in a two-phase
supply regime efficiency of the process of dispersal of liquid during the whole discharge
process has a fundamental importance, however in the solutions presented herein this
issue was not systematically related to any form of a gas management process.
[0013] A device ensuring a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser, equipped in its upper part
with a discharge control assembly, the device contains at least one egress channel,
as well as a plunger tube, placed below this assembly and interconnected with this
assembly, the plunger tube having in its lowermost section an ingress channel, optionally
outfitted with a filter to keep away impurities, and interconnected with a discharge
control assembly, and further downstream with an egress channel, according to the
invention, is characterised in that the plunger tube is outfitted with a liquid flow
restrictor and, above the latter, a row of side openings connecting external space
of the tube with its inner channel, where the successive side openings are positioned
longitudinally along the tube at different distances from the restrictor, such that
the side openings are positioned on the tube so that the reciprocal perpendicular
distance between the adjacent openings increases when approaching the upper part of
the device, and such arrangement of the openings applies at least to a part of the
tube.
[0014] It is preferred that the tube is set vertically.
[0015] It is preferred that the openings are positioned on the tube along at least one line
skewed or helical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube.
[0016] It is preferred that the restrictor complete with a filter to keep away impurities
is a separable unit placed on an inlet of an internal channel of the tube.
[0017] It is preferred that the restrictor has a form of a narrow gorge, or a form of an
orifice or at minimum of a partial transverse barrier in the inner channel of the
tube, or a cruciform stack of several such partial barriers, or a form of a bushing
having diametersmaller than the diameter of the inlet of the tube.
[0018] A liquid atomiser equipped with a reservoir of a liquid phase and a source of gas
under pressure, in a form of a void over the free surface or a cartridge, or an external
container, as well as a device ensuring a two-phase flow in an atomiser of liquid,
equipped in its upper part with a discharge control assembly, the device contains
at least one egress channel; as well as a plunger tube, placed below this assembly
and the tube interconnected with this assembly, the plunger tube having in its lowermost
section an ingress channel, optionally outfitted with a filter to keep away impurities,
and interconnected with a discharge control assembly, and further downstream the control
assembly with an egress channel and the nozzle, according to the invention, is characterised
in that the plunger tube is outfitted with a liquid flow restrictor and, above the
latter, a row of side openings connecting the external space of the tube with its
inner channel, where the successive side openings are positioned longitudinally along
the tube at different distances from the restrictor such that side openings are positioned
on a tube so, that reciprocal vertical distance between the nearest two openings increases
when approaching the upper part of the device, and such arrangement of the openings
applies at least to a part of the tube.
[0019] It is preferred that the atomiser is a mist fire extinguisher, with a water charge.
[0020] It is preferred that the exit nozzle is a multichannel collision-type nozzle, and
its exit channels have conical or ferrule outline, having diameters tapered towards
the exit.
[0021] It is preferred that the nozzle is a composite-type comprising a chassis, onto which
the front plate containing exit channels is attached, as well as, placed at some distance
away from the front plate, a stator plate, having pass-through channels, and both
plates limiting a packing chamber of the composite nozzle.
[0022] A method of conversion of
ε liquid atomiser equipped with a reservoir of a liquid phase and a source of gas under
pressure, in a form of a void over the free surface or a cartridge, or an external
container, as well as a device ensuring a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser, equipped
in its upper part with a discharge control assembly, the device contains at least
one egress channel; as well as a plunger tube, placed below this assembly and interconnected
with this assembly; the plunger tube having in its lowermost section an ingress channel,
optionally outfitted with a filter to keep away impurities, and the tube interconnected
with a discharge control assembly, and further downstream the control assembly with
an egress channel and the nozzle according to the invention, is characterised in that,
on the plunger tube the liquid flow restrictor is mounted by means of a tight glue,
a welded or a threaded connection, and above said restrictor a row of side openings
connecting the external space of the tube with its inner channel are made, where the
successive side openings are executed longitudinally along the tube at different distances
from the restrictor such that the side openings are positioned on the tube so that
the reciprocal perpendicular distance between the adjacent openings increases when
approaching the upper part of the device, and such arrangement of the openings applies
at least to a part of the tube.
[0023] A particular embodiment of the subject of invention is represented in a drawing,
wherein in Fig. 1 a general view of a liquid atomiser is presented, as a variant having
motive gas stored in a reservoir containing liquid, above free surface of liquid,
and a plunger tube having openings complete with a flow restrictor, in Fig. 2A a device
generating a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser is presented, wherein this device
is conjoined directly with a discharge control assembly, the latter comprising a plunger
tube complete with a flow restrictor in a form of a unit integrated with a filter,
in Fig. 2B a similar device as in Fig. 2A is presented, however the flow restrictor
has form of a narrow gorge on tube, and the filter is arranged as a separate part,
and in Fig. 3A the flow restrictor is presented as a unitary element containing a
filter. Moreover, in Fig. 3B a plane A-A from Fig. 3A cross-section of this unit is
presented. In Fig. 3C flow restrictor downstream side, in Fig. 3D its upstream side
is shown. In Fig. 4A a preferred example of a composite exit nozzle is shown, as a
lateral section, where the stem is adapted to mount the nozzle on a hose. In Fig.
4B a chassis of the nozzle from Fig. 4A is show, but in a form adapted to mounting
directly on a body of an actuation valve. In Fig 4C a view of an external (front)
plate of the nozzle assembly is presented from the downstream side (the lower drawing)
and a view of a stator plate from the downstream side (the upper drawing), and in
Fig. 4D a view of an external plate from the upstream side (lower drawing) and of
a stator plate from the upstream side (upper drawing), in Fig. 4E a side view of an
external plate (the lower drawing) and a side view of a stator plate (the upper drawing).
In Fig. 5 different kinds of liquid atomisers, e.g. fire extinguishers are shown,
consecutively: a stored pressure atomiser, where the gas is stored (held) in a common
container (a pressure vessel) holding also a fluid, having an exit nozzle connected
to the device via a hose; a homonymous atomiser having an exit nozzle connected directly
to the body of the main valve; an atomiser having an internal cartridge holding gas
and an exit nozzle connected to the device via a hose; an atomiser with an external
reservoir of gas, equipped with a manifold assembly and equipped with an exit nozzle
connected to the device via a hose; an atomiser being an aggregate of two containers
holding a liquid conjoined via a manifold, and an exit nozzle connected to the device
via a hose; an atomiser arrangement in a form of a fixed system, e.g. fire suppression
installation, having a remotely controlled actuation mechanism and a system-type (rigid)
conduit leading to the exit nozzle.
[0024] Well-known, typical liquid atomisers contain pressure reservoir 1 in which a liquid
agent is stored 2, and gas under pressure 3 is held above it, in first example of
embodiment, or in second proposed embodiment - part of gas under a moderate pressure
and motive gas in internal cartridge, or in an external container, in the third example.
The discharge control unit 4 comprises a valve placed topside of the pressure reservoir,
whereas a plunger (aspiration) tube 5 is attached to the bottom part of that valve
body, and the former extends downward the reservoir inner space. The lowermost part
of the tube or the tube ingress channel is outfitted with a filter, e.g. a wire mesh
type, to keep away solid particles. Discharge-control unit containing at least one
egress outlet conjoined with an exit nozzle 8, which may be attached directly or via
a flexible hose.
[0025] A device ensuring a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser, according to invention is
distinctive in terms of the fact that the plunger tube 5 in its bottom part, or in
the end is outfitted with a flow restrictor 6 and, above it, with a row of pass-through
openings, connecting external space of the tube 5 with its inner channel. Positioning
of openings with respect to the location of free surface inside the atomiser ready
for discharge is very specific - most or all openings are placed below this height,
and access of gas to consecutive openings is effected by the fall of free surface
during the discharge of the device. Openings are orientated perpendicularly to the
tube wall surface and have diameter sizes between 0.5 to 3mm. It is preferred that
the openings are not positioned (situated, placed) along one vertical line, one above
another, so that the gas bubbles entering the inner channel of the tube, where the
flow is either liquid or the two-phase type, do not coalesce extensively.
[0026] It is possible, as an option, to install in this device a filter to keep away solid
particles. In one example of embodiment it can be distinct bushing 6a (as shown in
Fig 2B) on a plunger tube 5, or be integrated with the restrictor 6 to make up one
demountable element (as shown in Fig. 2A). Such restrictor may encompass a shell 10
inside which a filter 11 is placed, where an outside threaded connection 12 is used
to connect this shell to the plunger tube 5. Reduced passage 13 is created by way
of crossing barriers 14 of a restrictor. Such an example of the restrictor layout
is shown in Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D.
[0027] A special configuration of an exit nozzle is proposed for the purpose of this invention
- this is a composite nozzle, where a multistage process of preparation of two-phase
medium and a dispersal of liquid to the stratum of an effective fire mist during the
entire discharge process of the device takes place. The composite exit nozzle, embodiments
as shown in Figs. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E comprises a chassis 15, an exterior element
- a front plate 16 furnished with exit channels, as well as interior element - a stator
plate 17 having pass-through channels. In the void in-between the said two plates
(16, 17), a free space is created, this is a preparatory chamber 18, a notion somewhat
similar to a remixer concept, where a process of a partial re-homogenization of the
two-phase feed flow takes place, by way of elimination of larger bubbles of the gas
phase, when this flow attains the state of a heavy foam, prior to the two-phase flow
reaching the inlets of the exit channels in the front plate. The front plate and the
stator plate are placed parallel to each other, in a certain distance and may be conjoined
with the chassis by a threaded connection.
[0028] The side openings in a plunger tube may have an arbitrary distribution, however the
preferred setting (positioning) of them on the tube is along a slanting, broken or
a helical line in relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The tube is set vertically,
for the sake of this invention understood as plumb in relation to the ground, so that
the bubbles of gas exiting from the openings, under action of buoyant force accelerate
one with respect to the next, towards the top of the tube. The plunger tube is usually
rigid and made of some artificial raisin, but realisations of the tube using different
materials, e.g. metal or pliant materials are also practicable.
[0029] The side openings, majority of which at the moment of activation of the device is
under the level of free surface of a liquid, are positioned at different heights with
regards to the upper end of the tube, because the process of discharge of the device
causes the free surface to fall together with the pressure of the motive gas. This
arrangement follows from a fact that the tube has to ensure a controllable and altering
volumetric ratio of inflowing gas and liquid phases for the duration the entire discharge
process, such proportioning is necessary for a correct operation of the effervescent
dispersive nozzle. The distribution of openings in tube is degressive in the direction
of the restrictor that is they became more compressed towards tube's bottom end, however
excluding certain section at its tip (near the low extremity of a reservoir). Along
the section where this interspace grading applies, distance between and adjacent openings,
measured in plumb, increases in the direction away from the restrictor. Increase of
said distances should be understood as a magnification of at least 5 or 10%. This
trend applies along ¾ to as much as 4/5 or 5/6 the length of the tube, calculated
from the topside that is where the tube is set in a discharge control unit. Close
to the upper part of the device, in a vicinity of the of a discharge control unit,
the tube is void of openings. Good results for this device are achieved when the openings
are set (positioned) along a helical line and especially, two helical lines in a "boxer"
arrangement, meaning placed along opposite lines, where each of them sweeps the same
180 degree angle to prevent collisions of bubbles. Nevertheless, quite positive results
e.g. for devices not under rules covering fire suppression equipment, are achieved
using different allocation of these openings. A liquid flow restrictor is attached
at the upstream side of the plunger tube. The liquid flow restrictor is calibrated,
that is its configuration, to the effect of reducing the cross-surface area of a liquid
stream in relation to the diameter of tube above it, is tailored to many other features
of the device, e.g. the initial pressure inside the liquid reservoir, the quantity
and the diameter of openings, density of the liquid agent etc. For example when a
restrictor is in a shape of a simple orifice set inside some plunger tube, then the
pass-through surface area of the tube is reduced by at least 8%, in relation to internal
diameter of the tube.
[0030] The restrictor can have any configuration locally reducing diameter of a plunger
tube. It may have a form of a narrow gorge, or a form of a partial barrier e.g. an
orifice or a stack of several barriers. It is possible to realise an embodiment of
this invention where both, the restrictor and the filter to keep solid particles away
become two distinct and separable elements affixed using a thread connection on a
tube.
[0031] A device or an atomiser according to the invention are equipped with an exit nozzle.
Any exit nozzle may be applied in this device, as long as it generates mist. This
may be a single-channel exit nozzle, a Stanley nozzle, or an array of Stanley nozzles.
Due to an effect of a rapid growth of the gas phase part (intensity) accompanied by
a falling pressure, as in the aspiration plunger tube such a two-phase flow is generated,
every such nozzle will generate mist as if it was a purpose-made effervescent nozzle.
Taking into account configuration of an atomiser and the preferred parameters of the
mist plume, the recommended arrangement is a multichannel nozzle, having cone-formed
(exit) channels laid in a collision pattern (a collision nozzle).
[0032] The composite exit nozzle has a specific, improved arrangement and performs as an
effervescent-type nozzle, but keeps on generating mist in a regime, even though as
a result of much augmented gas fraction (gas intensity, concentration) in the two-phase
flow, practically this feed flow is inappropriate. In order to ensure correct working
parameters of the nozzle for the entire duration of the atomiser discharge cycle,
two additional improvements were introduced: a) a packing chamber as well as b) crash
point location for exiting streams downstream of the front plate. Introduction of
the stator plate improves the mist dispersion rate during the entire discharge process.
This way the dispersion process of a liquid phase is effected at several stages -
inside the nozzle, but also by way of collision mechanism outside the nozzle, whereas
the process of reformulation of the two-phase flow taking place in the packing chamber
improves the efficiency of dispersion and the range of an effective nozzle performance.
[0033] Exit holes in the front plate are set in pairs directed towards each other to effect
collision of streams. Moreover, the openings in the stator plate and exit channels
in the front are shifted somewhat or at least part of openings is shifted one versus
the other, which improves effectiveness of the packing chamber.
[0034] The flow restrictor built into the filter unit (or as a distinct part) creates resistance
to the liquid flow, which in turn produces a desired small pressure difference across
a wall of the tube. This pressure difference causes gas phase emanating from the openings
actually above the free surface of liquid permeation into the inside channel (inside
cavity) of the aspiration tube. So-generated two-phase flow, under a considerable
pressure is brought to a nozzle where it undergoes atomisation. A stable plume of
mist is produced for almost entire duration of a discharge cycle of a liquid charge,
only at the end of this cycle a very fine mist appears accompanied by an intense blowdown
of a whole system. This is a consequence of a dispersive character a medium (aerosol)
reaching the nozzle. This feature is intentional; a result of a modified distribution
of the lowermost openings on an aspiration tube, the purpose is a removal of remainders
of liquid charge from the pressure vessel.
[0035] A device according to invention may be used in various types of fire extinguishers.
e.g. stored pressure fire extinguisher or a cartridge-type one, a case where a motive
gas is actuated by way of striking a knob just before putting an extinguisher into
action. Motive gas can be held inside or outside an extinguisher in a cartridge, in
a pressure vessel connected to a reservoir holding liquid via a manifold. In Fig.
5 basic types of embodiment of invention are represented, specifically different types
fire extinguishers, which may comprise a device according to invention or as a whole
may be an atomiser according to invention.
[0036] A method according to invention leads to changing operating modes of well-known atomisers,
to advance an improved atomiser by way of adding a liquid flow restrictor and side
openings in a plunger tube.
[0037] In a device according to invention three principle improvements, which co-validate
one another, were harmonised. A dispersive, effervescent type exit nozzle was introduced,
to cooperate with an OIG (outside in gas) plunger tube, the tube fulfilling simultaneously
a task of changing the dosage (proportioning) of gas and liquid phases, by way of
a progressive distribution side-wall openings consecutively exposed during the fall
of free surface. Moreover a liquid flow restrictor on the tube was introduced.
[0038] It follows from the fact of introduction of a restrictor that after a control valve
is opened a relatively small difference of pressure across the wall of the tube is
created, this pressure difference causing permeating of gas phase from the opening
above the free surface into the inner channel of the tube. The buoyant force acting
on bubbles causes them to ascend with a slight acceleration with respect to the followers.
Consequently, volumetric intensity of gas inside the aspiration tube gradually increases.
Introduction of a helical line and graded addition of gas in part reduces coalescence
(merging) of bubbles, when as a result of growth of volumetric intensity of gas the
flow becomes a foam type.
[0039] Analysing energy balances connected with a dispersal of a liquid stream and relating
this to fire-extinguisher principles of operation, specifically to the water mist
extinguisher in question, where a typical working pressure is 15 bar (abs.), and which
during the discharge process falls to some 1 - 1.5 bar, where the initial water fill
rate of a cylinder is 65% authors came to fundamental conclusion, principal from a
point of view of the presented solution. An eightfold drop of pressure in a cylinder
is mirrored by a drop of water level by over a half of cylinder's height (as related
to the entire cylinder height L), but this has to be reflected by a 32 times increase
of a volumetric ratio of gas to liquid fractions.
[0040] What follows from the above, is that the provision of gas into the stream of liquid
must unavoidably be adaptable to a falling pressure inside the cylinder, as effected
by the aspiration tube fitted with a liquid flow restrictor, and that the exit nozzle
must be tailored to a ferociously growing content (concentration) of the gas phase,
but to remain in an effervescent regime of supply as long as possible. The nozzle
is placed behind the control valve; therefore the pressure drop across the exit channels
of the nozzle should be significantly higher than the one across this valve. Introduction
of multichannel nozzle having cone-form channels tapered in in the downstream direction
meets this condition.
[0041] Additionally, it is preferred to arrange for collisions of the exiting streams (collision-type
nozzle), where an surplus of kinetic energy, especially of the gas phase, generated
when the volumetric ratio of gas to liquid fractions (concentration) swells with consecutive
stages of discharge process, is converted into additional dispersion of a liquid phase.
[0042] The mechanism of liquid dispersion employed in a device according to invention is
entirely mechanical, therefore any use of surfactants is not necessary and use of
any motive gas covered in relevant regulations is allowed. Universal character of
the mechanical method of dispersion tolerates use of a wide range of chemical additions
soluble in liquid. Introduction of surfactants is acceptable, however this would cause
that without any further modifications the presented mist fire extinguisher would
be transformed into a high-performance compressed-foam fire extinguisher.
[0043] Very satisfactory results were observed during trial performance tests of an atomiser
according to invention, a mist fire extinguisher filled with pressurised gas (nitrogen)
and a water charge inside the reservoir was used. The reservoir volume (capacity)
was 10.7 I; the charge was 6 I of water as an extinguishing agent, initial pressure
in the reservoir was 15 bar. A stable mist plume having a throw distance of 11 metres
falling to 8 metres was observed. Water droplet break-up was very effective; diameter
sizes were below 80 micrometres on average, and for carefully executed nozzle droplet
diameters did not exceed 120 micrometres. Throughput of the liquid agent attained
a range of 11 l/minute. Duration of fire extinguisher full discharge was 29 seconds.
For the same stored pressure, for a reservoir of 3.7 I capacity and water charge of
2 I, corresponding values were 10.5 falling to 7.5 metres, for the reach, and 12 seconds,
for a full discharge. Observed performance parameters were very good, taking into
account the displacement volume of accessories causing the water fill rate to reach
60%, but a high fire suppression effectiveness could be obtained even when this rate
reaches 70%.
Key to drawings:
[0044]
- 1
- reservoir
- 2
- liquid charge
- 3
- gas under pressure
- 4
- discharge control assembly
- 5
- plunger tube
- 6
- restrictor
- 6a
- filter bushing
- 8
- exit nozzle
- 9
- side openings in plunger tube
- 10
- restrictor body
- 11
- filter
- 12
- threaded connection
- 13
- gorge of tube
- 14
- criss-crossed barriers of restrictor
- 15
- composite nozzle chassis
- 16
- front plate of composite nozzle
- 17
- stator plate of composite nozzle
- 18
- packing chamber
- 19
- tip to connect hose
1. A device ensuring a two-phase flow in a liquid atomiser, equipped in its upper part
with a discharge control assembly, the device contains at least one egress channel,
as well as a plunger tube, placed below this assembly and interconnected with this
assembly, the plunger tube having in its lowermost section an ingress channel, optionally
outfitted with a filter to keep away impurities, and interconnected with the discharge
control assembly, and further downstream with an egress channel, wherein the plunger
tube (5) is outfitted with a liquid flow restrictor (6) and, above the restrictor (6), a row of side openings (9) connecting external space of the tube (5) with its inner channel, where the successive side openings (9) are positioned longitudinally along the tube (5) at different distances from the restrictor (6), characterised in that the side openings (9) are positioned on the tube (5) so that the reciprocal perpendicular distance between the adjacent openings (9) increases when approaching the upper part of the device, and such arrangement of
the openings (9) applies at least to a part of the tube (5).
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the tube (5) is set vertically.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the openings (9) are positioned on the tube (5) along at least one line skewed or helical with respect to the longitudinal axis
of the tube (5).
4. The device according to any of claims 1 to 2, wherein, the restrictor (6) complete with a filter to keep away impurities is a separable unit placed on an
inlet of an internal channel of the tube (5).
5. The device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein, the restrictor (6) has a form of a narrow gorge, or a form of an orifice or at minimum of a partial
transverse barrier in the inner channel of the tube, or a cruciform stack of several
such partial barriers, or a form of a bushing having diameter smaller than the diameter
of the inlet of the tube (5).
6. A liquid atomiser equipped with a reservoir of a liquid phase and a source of gas
under pressure, in a form of a void over the free surface or a cartridge, or an external
container, as well as a device ensuring a two-phase flow in an atomiser of liquid
as defined in claim 1, and anozzle.
7. The liquid atomiser according to claims6, wherein it is a mist fire extinguisher, with a water charge.
8. The liquid atomiser according to claims 6 or 7, wherein, the exit nozzle (8) is a multichannel collision-type nozzle, and its exit channels have conical or ferrule
outline, having diameters tapered towards the exit.
9. The liquid atomiser according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle (8) is a composite-type
comprising a chassis (15), onto which the front plate (16) containing exit channels
is attached, as well as, placed at some distance away from the front plate (16), a
stator plate (17),having pass-through channels, and both plates (16, 17) limiting
a packing chamber (18) of the composite nozzle (15).
10. A method of conversion of a liquid atomiser equipped with a reservoir of a liquid
phase and a source of gas under pressure, in a form of a void over the free surface
or a cartridge, or an external container, as well as a device ensuring a two-phase
flow in a liquid atomiser, equipped in its upper part with a discharge control assembly,
the device contains at least one egress channel; as well as a plunger tube, placed
below this assembly and interconnected with this assembly; the plunger tube having
in its lowermost section an ingress channel, optionally outfitted with a filter to
keep away impurities, and the tube interconnected with the discharge control assembly,
and further downstream the control assembly with an egress channel and a nozzle, wherein
on the plunger tube (5) the liquid flow restrictor (6) is mounted by means of a tight glue, a welded or a threaded connection, and above
the restrictor (6) a row of side openings connecting the external space of the tube (5) with its inner channel (5) are made, where the successive side openings are executed longitudinally along the
tube (5) at different distances from the restrictor (6), characterised in that the side openings (9) are positioned on the tube (5) so that the reciprocal perpendicular distance between the adjacent openings (9) increases when approaching the upper part of the device, and such arrangement of
the openings (9) applies at least to a part of the tube (5).
1. Eine Vorrichtung zur Gewährleistung einer Zweiphasenströmung in einem Flüssigkeitszerstäuber,
die in ihrem oberen Teil mit einer Abflusssteuereinheit ausgestattet ist, wobei die
Vorrichtung mindestens einen Austrittskanal sowie ein Kolbenrohr enthält, das unter
dieser Einheit angeordnet und mit dieser Einheit verbunden ist, wobei das Kolbenrohr
in seinem untersten Abschnitt einen Eintrittskanal aufweist, der gegebenenfalls mit
einem Filter zum Fernhalten von Verunreinigungen ausgestattet ist, und mit der Abflusssteuervorrichtung
verbunden ist, und weiter stromabwärts mit einem Austrittskanal, wobei das Kolbenrohr
(5) mit einem Flüssigkeitsflussbegrenzer (6) und, oberhalb des Begrenzers (6), einer Reihe von Seitenöffnungen (9) ausgestattet ist, die den Außenraum des Rohrs (5) mit seinem Innenkanal verbinden, wobei die aufeinanderfolgenden Seitenöffnungen
(9) in Längsrichtung entlang des Rohrs (5) in unterschiedlichen Abständen vom Begrenzer (6) angeordnet sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Seitenöffnungen (9) auf dem Rohr (5) so angeordnet sind, dass der reziproke senkrechte Abstand zwischen den benachbarten
Öffnungen (9) zunimmt, wenn man sich dem oberen Teil der Vorrichtung nähert, und eine solche Anordnung
der Öffnungen (9) zumindest für einen Teil des Rohrs (5) gilt.
2. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, in der das Rohr (5) vertikal angeordnet ist.
3. Die Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, in der die Öffnungen (9) auf dem Rohr (5) entlang mindestens einer Linie schräg oder schraubenförmig in Bezug auf die Längsachse
des Rohres (5) angeordnet sind.
4. Die Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 2, in der der Begrenzer (6) komplett mit einem Filter zum Fernhalten von Verunreinigungen eine trennbare Einheit
ist, die an einem Einlass eines Innenkanals des Rohrs (5) angeordnet ist.
5. Die Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, in der der Begrenzer (6) die Form eines engen Spaltes oder die Form einer Öffnung oder zumindest einer teilweisen
Querbarriere im Innenkanal des Rohres oder eines kreuzförmigen Stapels mehrerer solcher
Teilbarrieren oder die Form einer Buchse mit einem Durchmesser hat, der kleiner als
der Durchmesser des Rohreinlasses (5) ist.
6. Ein Flüssigkeitszerstäuber, der mit einem Vorratsbehälter für eine flüssige Phase
und einer Quelle für unter Druck stehendes Gas in Form eines Hohlraums über der freien
Oberfläche oder einer Patrone oder eines externen Behälters sowie mit einer Vorrichtung,
die eine Zweiphasenströmung in einem Flüssigkeitszerstäuber nach Anspruch 1 gewährleistet,
und einer Düse ausgestattet ist.
7. Der Flüssigkeitszerstäuber nach Anspruch 6, bei dem es sich um einen Nebel-Feuerlöscher mit einer Wasserfüllung handelt.
8. Der Flüssigkeitszerstäuber nach den Ansprüchen 6 oder 7, in dem die Austrittsdüse (8) eine Mehrkanal-Kollisionsdüse ist und ihre Austrittskanäle einen konischen oder
hülsenförmigen Umriss haben, dessen Durchmesser sich zum Ausgang hin verengt.
9. Der Flüssigkeitszerstäuber nach Anspruch 8, in dem die Düse (8) eine vom Verbundstofftyp ist, der ein Untergestell (15) umfasst, an dem die Frontplatte (16), die Austrittskanäle enthält, befestigt ist, sowie, in einem gewissen Abstand von
der Frontplatte (16) angeordnet, eine Statorplatte (17), die Durchgangskanäle aufweist, und beide Platten (16, 17), die eine Dichtungskammer (18) der Verbundstoffdüse (15) begrenzen.
10. Das Verfahren zur Umwandlung eines Flüssigkeitszerstäubers, der mit einem Vorratsbehälter
für eine flüssige Phase und einer Druckgasquelle in Form eines Hohlraums auf der freien
Oberfläche oder einer Patrone oder eines äußeren Behälters sowie mit einer Vorrichtung
zur Gewährleistung einer Zweiphasenströmung in einem Flüssigkeitszerstäuber, die in
ihrem oberen Teil mit einer Abflusssteuereinheit ausgestattet ist, wobei die Vorrichtung
mindestens einen Austrittskanal sowie ein Kolbenrohr enthält, das unter dieser Einheit
angeordnet und mit dieser Einheit verbunden ist, wobei das Kolbenrohr in seinem untersten
Abschnitt einen Eintrittskanal aufweist, der gegebenenfalls mit einem Filter ausgestattet
ist, um Verunreinigungen fernzuhalten, und das Rohr mit der Abflusssteuereinheit verbunden
ist, und weiter stromabwärts der Steueranordnung mit einem Austrittskanal und einer
Düse, wobei auf dem Kolbenrohr (5) der Flüssigkeitsstrombegrenzer (6) mittels eines dichten Klebers, einer Schweiß- oder einer Gewindeverbindung montiert
ist, und über dem Begrenzer (6) eine Reihe von Seitenöffnungen ausgebildet ist, die den Außenraum des Rohrs (5) mit seinem Innenkanal (5) verbinden, wobei die aufeinanderfolgenden Seitenöffnungen in Längsrichtung entlang
des Rohrs (5) in unterschiedlichen Abständen von dem Begrenzer (6) ausgeführt sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Seitenöffnungen (9) auf dem Rohr (5) so positioniert sind, dass der reziproke senkrechte Abstand zwischen den benachbarten
Öffnungen (9) zunimmt, wenn man sich dem oberen Teil der Vorrichtung nähert, und diese Anordnung
der Öffnungen (9) zumindest auf einen Teil des Rohrs (5) zutrifft.
1. Un dispositif assurant un écoulement diphasique dans un atomiseur de liquide, équipé
dans sa partie supérieure d'un ensemble de contrôle de décharge, le dispositif contient
au moins un canal de sortie, ainsi qu'un tube plongeur, placé en dessous de cet ensemble
et interconnecté avec cet ensemble, le tube plongeur ayant dans sa section la plus
basse un canal d'entrée, éventuellement équipé d'un filtre pour tenir à l'écart les
impuretés, et interconnecté avec l'ensemble de contrôle de décharge, et plus en aval
avec un canal de sortie, dans lequel le tube plongeur (5) est équipé d'un restricteur d'écoulement de liquide (6) et, au-dessus du restricteur (6), d'une rangée d'ouvertures latérales (9) reliant l'espace externe du tube (5) à son canal interne, où les ouvertures latérales (9) successives sont positionnées longitudinalement le long du tube (5) à différentes distances du restricteur (6), caractérisé en ce que les ouvertures latérales (9) sont positionnées sur le tube (5) de sorte que la distance perpendiculaire réciproque entre les ouvertures adjacentes
(9) augmente à l'approche de la partie supérieure du dispositif, et une telle disposition
des ouvertures (9) s'applique au moins sur une partie du tube (5).
2. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le tube (5) est placé verticalement.
3. Le dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les ouvertures (9) sont positionnées sur le tube (5) le long d'au moins une ligne inclinée ou hélicoïdale par rapport à l'axe longitudinal
du tube (5).
4. Le dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel le restricteur
(6) complet avec un filtre pour tenir à l'écart les impuretés est une unité séparable
placée sur une entrée d'un canal interne du tube (5).
5. Le dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le restricteur
(6) a la forme d'une gorge étroite, ou la forme d'un orifice ou au moins d'une barrière
transversale partielle dans le canal intérieur du tube, ou un empilement cruciforme
de plusieurs de ces barrières partielles, ou la forme d'une douille ayant un diamètre
inférieur au diamètre de l'entrée du tube (5).
6. Un atomiseur de liquide équipé d'un réservoir d'une phase liquide et d'une source
de gaz sous pression, sous la forme d'un vide sur la surface libre ou une cartouche,
ou un récipient externe, ainsi qu'un dispositif assurant un écoulement diphasique
dans un atomiseur de liquide tel que défini dans la revendication 1, et une buse.
7. L'atomiseur de liquide selon la revendication 6, dans lequel il est un extincteur
à brouillard, avec une charge d'eau.
8. L'atomiseur de liquide selon les revendications 6 ou 7, dans lequel la buse de sortie
(8) est une buse de type collision multicanal, et ses canaux de sortie ont un contour
conique ou de virole, ayant des diamètres effilés vers la sortie.
9. L'atomiseur de liquide selon la revendication 8, dans lequel la buse (8) est de type composite comprenant un châssis (15), sur lequel la plaque avant (16) contenant des canaux de sortie est fixée, ainsi que, placée à une certaine distance
de la plaque avant (16), une plaque de stator (17), ayant des canaux de passage, et les deux plaques (16, 17) limitant une chambre de garnissage (18) de la buse composite (15).
10. Une méthode de conversion d'un atomiseur de liquide équipé d'un réservoir d'une phase
liquide et d'une source de gaz sous pression, sous la forme d'un vide sur la surface
libre ou une cartouche, ou un récipient externe, ainsi qu'un dispositif assurant une
écoulement diphasique dans un atomiseur de liquide, équipé dans sa partie supérieure
d'un ensemble de contrôle de décharge, le dispositif contient au moins un canal de
sortie ; ainsi qu'un tube plongeur, placé en dessous de cet ensemble et interconnecté
avec cet ensemble ; le tube plongeur ayant dans sa section la plus basse un canal
d'entrée, éventuellement équipé d'un filtre pour tenir à l'écart les impuretés, et
le tube interconnecté avec l'ensemble de contrôle de décharge, et plus en aval l'ensemble
de contrôle avec un canal de sortie et une buse,dans laquelle sur le tube plongeur
(5) le restricteur d'écoulement de liquide (6) est monté au moyen d'une colle étanche, d'une connexion soudée ou filetée, et au-dessus
du restricteur (6) une rangée d'ouvertures latérales reliant l'espace externe du tube (5) avec son canal interne (5) est réalisée, où les ouvertures latérales successives sont réalisées longitudinalement
le long du tube (5) à différentes distances du restricteur (6),caractérisée en ce que les ouvertures latérales (9) sont positionnées sur le tube (5) de sorte que la distance perpendiculaire réciproque entre les ouvertures adjacentes
(9) augmente à l'approche de la partie supérieure du dispositif, et une telle disposition
des ouvertures (9) s'applique au moins sur une partie du tube (5).